FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday, January 29, 2024, through Friday, February 2, 2024

PM-2.5: concentrations are expected to be in the Good to low-Moderate range.

FORECAST DISCUSSION:
This week starts with cloudy skies and moderate wintertime temperatures. There are not any large storms on the horizon, but a few systems will bring chances for precipitation. The first system tracks from the western upper peninsula late Monday to the southeastern portion of the state late Tuesday. Precipitation falls predominantly as snow further north and east, while a mix of rain and snow may be seen in western and central areas. High pressure then builds in for midweek before another clipper system passes through late Thursday into Friday. Not much precipitation is associated with this disturbance, so many locations will remain dry, but cooler air does filter in in its wake.

Fine particulate levels start the week in the Good range. The two systems moving through Tuesday and then Thursday prevent any prolonged periods of stagnation, therefore not allowing pollution to significantly build. While there may be periods, especially in the morning hours, where hourly concentrations of PM2.5 reach the Moderate range, daily averages are expected to remain mostly Good with only a few low-Moderates possible through the forecast period.

EXTENDED FORECAST:

Extended forecast models show high pressure positioned northeast of the state by this coming weekend. This will set the stage for dry conditions, and finally, a few days with sunshine are expected. Pollution levels in the long term should remain mostly in the Good to low-Moderate range

Next Forecast Update: Friday, February 2, 2024