FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday February 24th, 2025 through Friday February 28th, 2025
PM-2.5:
PM-2.5 concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate range.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Mostly sunny skies and above normal temperatures kick off this last week of February. Southerly flow for the next few days will bring in warmer air as the windy conditions we have been seeing the last few days slowly calms as we approach midweek. Much of Monday and into Tuesday are copy and paste of one another with the next weather system approaching the region come Wednesday. A Low-pressure system enters the Great Lakes region early Wednesday and lingers for most of the day until moving off to the east on Thursday. This system will bring precipitation in the form of rain for most areas as surface temperatures will still be in the upper-30s to low-40s. Areas to the north may see a wintry mix, but overall precipitation should be rain. Along with precipitation, temperatures drop back down to seasonal norms in the mid-30s come Thursday and Friday with a High-pressure system setting up to our north.
With a rather dense snowpack across the state and consistent 40-degree temperatures for much of this week, PM-2.5 concentrations increasing into the Moderate range should be expected, especially in more populated areas near and around the morning commute. Breezy conditions today, Monday, and into tomorrow, Tuesday will help keep concentrations at bay as atmospheric conditions will not be stagnant. However, as snow melts and releases particulates into the atmosphere, concentrations will increase. As stated above, though, increases should not be higher than the mid-Moderate range. Once the Low-pressure sweeps through the region later this week, any buildup of concentrations that occur are expected to be cleaned out with shifting and increasing winds.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
We kick off March with relatively normal temperatures with even more melting of snow expected. PM-2.5 concentrations and overall air quality should range between Good and low-Moderate.
Next Forecast update: Friday February 28th, 2025