FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, march 1, 2024, through monday, March 4, 2024
PM-2.5: 24-hour daily average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to be generally Good.
FORECAST DISCUSSION: In like a lamb, out like a lion? Or so goes the saying for March weather… If the proverb is correct, the beginning of March 2024 will be more akin to “lamb” weather with mostly sunny skies and gradually warming temperatures.
Following the sharp 50 degree drop in temperatures we experienced during mid-week, we can expect a gradually warming trend over the upcoming weekend. We are in a persistent southerly wind flow sector which could get us back to near 70-degree temperatures by Monday. This is due to a large high-pressure ridge over the east coast and approach low-pressure system to our west. As such, we should see mostly clear skies through the weekend and each day warming by several degrees. I expect this to last until the next projected cold front passage during Tuesday.
In terms of Air Quality, all the models are in agreement that conditions should stay mostly in the Good range with a chance for a few scattered Low Moderates in the more populated areas. Fortunately, the smoke from the historically large Texas panhandle fires should stay to the west and have little to no effect on us.
Officially, ozone season begins today (March 1) in terms of monitoring. Similar to previous years, our forecast season for ozone will begin on April 1 as our cooler weather and shorter days keeps ozone risk at a minimum during March.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Air Quality should be generally Good to begin the next work week.
Next Forecast, March 4, 2024