FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday December 27th, 2024, through Monday December 30th 2024
OZONE:
November marks the end of the 2024 ozone season. The 2025 ozone season will begin on March 1st.
PM-2.5:
24-hour average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to be a mix of Good (AQI Green) and Moderate (AQI Yellow) for the entire forecast period.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
The last Friday of 2024 is here and all across Michigan we are seeing surface temperatures above normal for this time of year. The warming trend continues into tomorrow with much of the lower peninsula seeing the 50-degree mark tomorrow, Saturday. Areas in the upper peninsula will be more so in the upper-30s to low-40s range. Providing these unseasonably warm temperatures is a Low-pressure system which is making its way towards the Great Lakes from the southwest. This system will shift winds to a more southwesterly flow thus bringing in warmer air. Accompanying the Low-pressure system will be rain, which appears to be broad and scattered tomorrow with areas to the north seeing more rain than the south. Come Sunday, however, that trend flips with the southern portions of the state seeing more precipitation with the north remaining drier. We finally dry out on Monday while we’re in between pressure systems with calm conditions and mild surface temperatures.
Due to the warming surface temperatures this weekend, PM-2.5 concentrations can be expected to remain in the low-Moderate range for more populated areas. Areas to the north that may still have a hefty snowpack will see PM-2.5 concentrations increasing as well due to melting snow and the release of particulates into the atmosphere. Also, surface level inversions can be expected throughout the weekend, mainly in the morning hours, which will trap particulates near the surface. As each day carries on and wind picks up, although, these concentrations will dissipate. Also, the aforementioned rain we will see this weekend will help keep concentrations at bay by cleaning and washing out the atmosphere.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
EXTENDED FORECAST:
The current trend of mild temperatures and wet conditions appears to continue into next week as we bring in the New Year. Air quality is expected to range from the Good to low-Moderate category.
Next Forecast Update: Friday December 27th, 2024