FORECAST SUMMARY:
Monday, January 4th, 2021 through Monday, January 11th, 2021
PM-2.5: 24-hour average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to range from upper Good to middle Moderate through the forecast period.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
A weak front passing later Monday may trigger scattered flurries and/or drizzle into Tuesday, otherwise, mostly cloudy, and quiet conditions will exist this week. Low level moisture will be increased the next few days thanks to lighter winds, subsidence, and snow cover over most of the state. The combination of these conditions will keep fine particulate upper Good to middle Moderate through mid-week.
On Thursday, surface high pressure will still be dominating the region, however, a storm system passing well south and east of Michigan will produce easterly winds over the state. The east to northeasterly flow towards the end of the workweek could bring some improvement to fine particulate levels, but readings in the Moderate range are still a possibility.
Weaker winds move back in for the weekend as high pressure slides in from the northwest. The threat for moderate fine particulate is expected to continue into the weekend.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Extended forecast models show the next system bringing light precipitation early next week. There is some uncertainty, but regardless on the strength and timing, there does not look to be a good airmass change coming. Therefore, a Moderate fine particulate forecast will likely continue