Yipes! Now There's A Dusk Risk Due to Drought

Get this - seriously, folks! - The latest U.S. Drought Monitor update shows 28.6 percent of Arizona is now in severe drought.
This is up from zero percent of the state being in severe drought back in October.

Maricopa County Forecast

Air Quality Dust Risk ISSUED ON: Fri. Jan 5, 2018

---

This report is updated Monday through Friday and is valid for Maricopa County, Arizona

Saturday 1/6/2018

LOW

Winds:Light winds
Stagnation:Morning and overnight stagnation

Sunday 1/7/2018

LOW

Winds:Light winds
Stagnation:Morning and overnight stagnation

Monday 1/8/2018

MODERATE

Winds:Light winds
Stagnation:Morning and overnight stagnation

Tuesday 1/9/2018

MODERATE

Winds:South-southeast winds of 15-20mph with higher gusts possible
Stagnation:Light AM stagnation

Wednesday 1/10/2018

LOW

Winds:Southwest winds 5-10mph
Stagnation:Light stagnation.

______________________________________________________________________________

Tribal Boundaries The tribal boundaries shown here are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are intended to be used as a general spatial reference only. They are not a formal determination of tribal boundaries by the EPA.   Tribal Boundaries The tribal boundaries shown here are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are intended to be used as a general spatial reference only. They are not a formal determination of tribal boundaries by the EPA.   Tribal Boundaries The tribal boundaries shown here are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are intended to be used as a general spatial reference only. They are not a formal determination of tribal boundaries by the EPA.   AQI: Good (0 - 50) Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. AQI: Moderate (51 - 100) Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. AQI: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101 - 150) Although general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. AQI: Unhealthy (151 - 200) Everyone may begin to experience health effects members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. AQI: Very Unhealthy (201 - 300) Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects. AQI: Hazardous (301 - 500) Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Action Day   Local Air Quality Resources Maricopa County Air Quality Department | Maricopa County Dust Forecast | Today's AQI and Forecast (AZ DEQ)   State Air Quality Resources ADEQ Contact Information ADEQ Regional Haze and Visibility American Lung Association (ALA) of Arizona Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division Clean Air Make More - Maricopa County Gila River Indian Community DEQ Air Quality Program

Data and Forecasts courtesy of: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Gila River Indian Community DEQ Air Quality Program, Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Pinal County Air Quality Control District Current Conditions Air Quality Index (AQI) observed at 10:00 MST 129 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Health Message: The following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion: People with heart or lung disease, Children and older adults. Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Note: Values above 500 are considered Beyond the AQI. Follow recommendations for the Hazardous category. Additional information on reducing exposure to extremely high levels of particle pollution is available here. AQI - Pollutant Details Ozone 44 Good Particles (PM10) 129 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particles (PM2.5) 98 Moderate

Blogger Insert FYI: Link Data and Forecasts courtesy of:

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Gila River Indian Community DEQ Air Quality Program, Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Pinal County Air Quality Control District 

https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=33



_______________________________________________________________________________
SYNOPSIS AND DISCUSSION: Forecaster: -M. Pace
Phoenix continues to deal with well above average warmth and dry weather. While some may think this weather gives us bragging rights, in reality, the state desperately needs rain/snow.

Tribal Boundaries The tribal boundaries shown here are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are intended to be used as a general spatial reference only. They are not a formal determination of tribal boundaries by the EPA.   Tribal Boundaries The tribal boundaries shown here are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are intended to be used as a general spatial reference only. They are not a formal determination of tribal boundaries by the EPA.   Tribal Boundaries The tribal boundaries shown here are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are intended to be used as a general spatial reference only. They are not a formal determination of tribal boundaries by the EPA.   AQI: Good (0 - 50) Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. AQI: Moderate (51 - 100) Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. AQI: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101 - 150) Although general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. AQI: Unhealthy (151 - 200) Everyone may begin to experience health effects members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. AQI: Very Unhealthy (201 - 300) Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects. AQI: Hazardous (301 - 500) Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Action Day   Local Air Quality Resources Maricopa County Air Quality Department | Maricopa County Dust Forecast | Today's AQI and Forecast (AZ DEQ)   State Air Quality Resources ADEQ Contact Information ADEQ Regional Haze and Visibility American Lung Association (ALA) of Arizona Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division Clean Air Make More - Maricopa County Gila River Indian Community DEQ Air Quality Program

Data and Forecasts courtesy of: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Gila River Indian Community DEQ Air Quality Program, Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Pinal County Air Quality Control District Current Conditions Air Quality Index (AQI) observed at 10:00 MST 129 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Health Message: The following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion: People with heart or lung disease, Children and older adults. Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Note: Values above 500 are considered Beyond the AQI. Follow recommendations for the Hazardous category. Additional information on reducing exposure to extremely high levels of particle pollution is available here. AQI - Pollutant Details Ozone 44 Good Particles (PM10) 129 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particles (PM2.5) 98 Moderate

  
This is up from zero percent of the state being in severe drought back in October.
The good news ??, changes are coming to the area but right now, no rain from the next few days in Phoenix as high pressure will continue to be the primary weather force over the region. This pattern will also result in the continuation of light winds and warm temperatures through the weekend. The only variation will be an increase in clouds here in the Valley and a slight chance of rain/snow for Northern Arizona late Saturday into Sunday. As a result, expecting PM-10 and PM-2.5 levels to remain in the mid-moderate AQI category. 
The more significant change comes to the forecast next week as a storm system quickly moves through the state late Tuesday into Wednesday. Expecting southerly winds on Tuesday afternoon to be in the 15-20mph range which could produce some areas of blowing dust, especially for areas just south of Phoenix. However, by the evening and overnight hours into Wednesday rain chances will be on the rise which will help to quickly clear the air of any dust that is generated. Because of this, forecasting PM-10 on Tuesday to be the highest during the morning/early afternoon before dropping overnight.
This is a fast-moving storm system so not expecting a significant amount of rain, but rainfall totals in Phoenix could range from 0.10 to 0.25 inches with higher amounts likely just north/northeast of the Valley in the higher elevations. This system will also bring in much cooler air with high temperatures on Wednesday dropping into the mid/low 60's!
Overall, moderate air quality through the weekend with rain chances moving into the forecast to help improve air quality late Tuesday into Wednesday.

Have a great weekend and be sure to check back on Monday for the latest updates.