FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, March 7, 2025, through Monday, March 10, 2025
PM-2.5: 24-hour daily average Fine Particulate concentrations will begin the period mostly Good (Green AQI), with Moderates (Yellow AQI) developing early next week.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
This forecast period will feature a few chances for light precipitation, mostly snow. This occurs as weak systems move through the region on Friday, then again Saturday and Sunday. However, these are not big weather makers, and many locations will remain precipitation-free. The bigger weather story is the warmup that begins late in the weekend, continuing into next week. The warmest air of the season moves into the state starting on Sunday as high pressure moves in from the west. While the warm-up is welcomed by many, the warmer air moving over areas with current snowpack could cause increases in pollution levels.
As for air quality, a cool, northerly flow is reinforced over the region Friday and again Saturday, keeping air quality mostly Good. Warmer air is forecast to move in on Sunday, continuing into Monday; fine particulate will begin increasing, especially in areas with melting snowpack. Currently, we do not expect fine particulate levels to reach higher than daily averages in the Moderate range; however, if our thoughts on this change during the weekend, we will update this forecast to reflect the deteriorating air quality conditions.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
The extended weather models show warmer than normal temperatures the first few days of the new workweek, along with sunshine. Fine particulate levels averaging mostly in the Moderate range can be expected during this period. The next chance for precipitation looks to arrive towards midweek.
Next Forecast update: Monday, March 10, 2025