Tucson Forecast

Image of Downtown Tucson

Air Quality Hourly Forecast | Tucson

Updated On: 10/22/2021 - 9:00 AM
Click on each day to view forecast.

Friday Forecast:


Ozone

44 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 47 ppb

PM10

35 AQI
24-hr Avg: 38 µg/m3

PM2.5

38 AQI
24-hr Avg: 9.2 µg/m3

Saturday Forecast:


Ozone

42 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 45 ppb

PM10

41 AQI
24-hr Avg: 44 µg/m3

PM2.5

34 AQI
24-hr Avg: 8.1 µg/m3

Sunday Forecast:


Ozone

44 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 48 ppb

PM10

32 AQI
24-hr Avg: 35 µg/m3

PM2.5

36 AQI
24-hr Avg: 8.6 µg/m3

Monday Forecast:


Ozone

42 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 45 ppb

PM10

41 AQI
24-hr Avg: 44 µg/m3

PM2.5

33 AQI
24-hr Avg: 7.8 µg/m3

Tuesday Forecast:


Ozone

44 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 48 ppb

PM10

37 AQI
24-hr Avg: 40 µg/m3

PM2.5

39 AQI
24-hr Avg: 9.4 µg/m3

Air Quality By Pollutant:

Pollutant
Friday
10/22/2021
Saturday
10/23/2021
Sunday
10/24/2021
Monday
10/25/2021
Tuesday
10/26/2021
O3
44
42
44
42
44
PM10
35
41
32
41
37
PM2.5
38
34
36
33
39
Pollutant
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
O3
44
42
44
42
44
PM10
35
41
32
41
37
PM2.5
38
34
36
33
39
O3 = Ozone, PM10 = Particles ≤ 10 microns, PM2.5 = Particles ≤ 2.5 microns

Forecast Discussion:

High temperatures hit a warm 92°F yesterday (Thursday) in Tucson, which was 7°F above normal for this time of year. With high pressure still over Arizona today (Friday), Tucson should have another warm day, on par with yesterday's heat. The main difference today though, will be a slight uptick in uptick in afternoon breezes--the first sign of the next incoming low pressure pattern.

On Saturday, the said low pressure pattern will gradually expand over the western U.S. As a result, winds will increase out of the southwest in Tucson: 10-15 mph with higher gusts possible. Temperatures will also dip into the 80s. The main thing to note air quality-wise will be the potential for dust to be picked up by the winds. Therefore, we've raised the hourly forecast PM10 (dust) levels in the afternoon. However, PM10 is still expected to remain in the Good Air Quality Index (AQI) category overall.

Beyond Saturday, the weather pattern over the Southwest will remain active still. Light southwesterly breezes are forecast for Sunday and another round of breezy southwesterly winds are forecast for Monday. Hourly forecast PM10 levels have been increased on Monday to mark another chance for wind-induced dust. Then by Tuesday, light winds and sub-80°F high temperatures return.

In general, when winds are light in the mornings/evenings, PM10 and PM2.5 (e.g. smoke) will have the potential to be locally elevated in Tucson.

All pollutants are forecast in the Good AQI category for now.

- M. Graves
ADEQ Meteorologist

What Flag Should I Fly?

Saturday: Green
Sunday: Green

What is the Flag Program and how can my school/organization join? | Learn More >