FORECAST SUMMARY: TUESDAY, July 4TH, 2023, THROUGH FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023
OZONE: 8-hour average Ozone concentrations will range between Moderate and USG Tuesday and Wednesday, then Good to Moderate Thursday and Friday.
PM-2.5: 24-hour average Fine Particulate levels are expected to remain Good to Moderate.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
The forecast remains on track for warm, humid conditions to continue this July 4th holiday. The sunny conditions compiled with southerly winds and warm surface and upper-level temperatures will make a good setup for increased ozone. Due to this threat, we have issued an Action Day for ozone for Tuesday, July 4th. The threat for higher ozone lingers into Wednesday, therefore, we are continuing the Action Day into July 5th as well. A change in the forecast comes later Wednesday into Thursday as a cold front passes through the state. Precipitation comes into play as the boundary moves through and cooler temperatures in its wake brings in lower ozone concentrations. Levels Thursday and Friday should range Good to Moderate.
Daily average PM2.5 readings the past few days have been between Good to Moderate. Some locations have experienced evening hourly concentrations into the USG range, but those increases have been associated with fireworks displays in celebration of the July 4th holiday. Any evening hourly PM2.5 increases should improve by late morning/early afternoon the following day. We anticipate daily PM2.5 averages to continue Good to Moderate the next few days with levels improving towards Good behind the Thursday front as winds switch to a northerly direction.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Forecast models show sunny and seasonable conditions for the end of the week. This forecast will be updated Friday to detail expected air quality levels for the weekend.
Next Forecast Update: Next Forecast update: Friday, July 7, 2023