FORECAST SUMMARY:
Friday, January 24, 2025, through Monday, January 27, 2025
PM-2.5: 24-hour daily average Fine Particulate concentrations will average Good (Green AQI) to Moderate (Yellow AQI) through early next week.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
The bitterly cold air experienced earlier in the week has departed the region, being replaced by seasonable high temperatures ranging in the teens to 20s. This temperature range lingers through the weekend, but forecast maps show a warmup with temperatures close to or into the low 30s Monday and Tuesday of next week. Regarding precipitation, Friday begins the period with light snow tapering off as an upper-level trough moves out and high pressure slides east of the region. Some locations may even break out into sunshine during the day. A couple of clipper systems moving through between Saturday and early next week will keep snow chances in the forecast through the period.
As for air quality, lighter winds Friday will cause low-Moderate fine particulate readings across the lower portion of the state. Readings elsewhere will remain Good. Southwest winds on Saturday change to the northwest from west to east behind the passing system. Low-Moderate fine particulate concentrations are likely in the southern portion of the state, while readings further north will average Good. Surface winds Sunday become westerly ahead of the early week storm system. This may allow for a few low Moderate readings in more urban locations, but most areas should average Good for fine particulate. Temperatures increase Monday towards the 30-degree range, which will likely cause an uptick in fine particulate; however, stronger winds will hamper significant increases. Concentrations on Monday are not expected to be higher than Moderate.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
The extended weather models show a warmup in temperatures early next week with on-and-off systems moving through that will keep chances for snow in the forecast. Mostly Moderate air quality levels are expected in the extended period.
Next Forecast update: Monday, January 27, 2025