What Is an Inversion and How Does It Affect Air Quality?

An inversion represents a layer of the atmosphere in which the temperature gets warmer the higher you go. A variety of conditions can cause inversions, but most common in Arizona is the nighttime inversion. This is when a layer of cooler air is trapped near the ground by a layer of warm air above the surface. When the air cannot rise, pollution accumulates near the ground, leading to higher pollutant concentrations | Learn More about Inversions >

To avoid health risks associated with poor air quality related to Particle Pollution:

Choose areas away from busy streets for children and the elderly to walk, exercise or play.
Subscribe to ADEQ Daily Air Quality Forecasts and follow the recommended health statement
Limit outdoor activity when there is smoke and dust in the air
Implement policies and education programs to limit vehicle idling when possible
Do not burn wood on No Burn days.
Eliminate the use of leaf blowers and gasoline-powered equipment during health alerts and high pollution advisory (HPA) days | Learn More about HPAs >
Stabilize loose soils
Slow down on dirt roads, carpool and use public transit

Learn more about Particle Pollution | View Fact Sheet >