FORECAST SUMMARY: Tuesday, December 27, 2022, through Tuesday, January 3, 2023
PM-2.5: 24-hour average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to be Moderate through most of the work week then mostly Good through the holiday weekend.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
After a period of persistent cold weather and ample snow, especially along the West Michigan corridor, we should see a period of thawing temperatures during the current work week and holiday weekend. While we may see a few breaks in the clouds during Wednesday, it does look like the majority of the forecast period will remain cloudy. It is likely that by the end of December, most of lower Michigan will have only seen around 10% of potential sunlight for the month.
Wednesday should provide the first above-freezing temperatures, following the current cold snap, courtesy of winds shifting to the south and southwest. By the end of the week, we should see temperatures around 40 degrees. While this will likely be welcomed to help melt snow off the back roads, warmer air over snow typically is a good catalyst for producing fine particulates. Even though a good breeze will help stir things around, I still see the likelihood of Low Moderates in the majority of the Lower Peninsula.
A cold front is expected to pass during Friday, which will give us a wind shift and cleaner air, although temperatures are expected to stay above freezing for the remainder of this forecast period.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Air Quality should be mostly Good to begin the next work week.
Next Forecast update: Tuesday, January 3, 2023