FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday, July 25th, 2022 through Friday July 29th, 2022
OZONE: Ozone concentrations are expected to range from Good to Moderate most of the forecast period.
PM-2.5: PM-2.5 concentrations are expected to range from Good to low-Moderate for the forecast period.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Michigan begins the week with clear skies and pleasant surface temperatures in the 70s. This is caused by a High-pressure system lingering over the Great Lakes until Tuesday night when a frontal boundary comes through, providing a chance of rain for much of Michigan. Once the boundary passes through, another High-pressure system sets up to our west, returning conditions to relatively clear skies and warm surface temperatures through the end of the week.
.In terms of air quality, PM-2.5 concentrations look to remain in the Good to low-Moderate range for the forecast period. In the morning hours, light winds will allow some particulate buildup to occur but as the day carries on, and winds pick up, those concentrations should disperse. Ozone will be in the Good to Moderate range solely due to the wind direction we will see this week. As stated above, a High-pressure system lingers over us until Wednesday, which will keep winds predominantly westerly with some southerly winds. This will help inhibit Ozone development, although we will see ample sunlight in the coming days. Some models are showing winds over Lake Michigan having a SW component to them, so that may push some Ozone towards the shoreline, but overall 8-hour averages should remain Moderate. Any buildup that occurs will be cleaned out by the frontal boundary that comes through Tuesday evening into Wednesday. In the latter half of the week, NNW winds due to another High-pressure over the Great Lakes region helps to keep Ozone development at bay.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
The pleasant conditions carry into the weekend with Saturday mirroring Friday. As the High-pressure we’ll be under the end of this week exits the region, winds will shift to more southwesterly flow. This will increase the chances of Ozone developing come Sunday, thus another forecast update will be made Friday.
Forecast updated by: Alec Kownacki, Monday July 25th, 2022
Next Forecast update: Friday July 29th, 2022