OZONE >> We are in full swing with the 2023 ozone season here !!

 Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued for Friday, April 21 

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Maricopa County issued for Friday, April 21. This HPA is due to ozone levels expected to accumulate enough to exceed the federal health standard for ozone.

Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from vehicles, gasoline and diesel equipment, industrial and chemical processes, and other everyday activities react to sunlight. Because these emissions react more readily to sunlight, ozone pollution is more prevalent during the spring and summer months.

Although some people are more sensitive than others, all county residents can be affected by ground-level ozone pollution, which is harmful to lungs and can trigger asthma. 

Children are at the greatest risk from ozone because their lungs are still developing, they are most likely to be active outdoors, and they are more likely than adults to have asthma. 

Adults with asthma or other lung diseases and older adults are also sensitive to ozone.

Arizona Air Quality Information

Published on: 04/17/2023 at 10:54 AM by M. Pace

Phoenix: First ozone exceedance of 2023

You can't see it because it's invisible, but it is that time of year again to pay attention to ozone in the Valley of the Sun.

Yesterday (Sunday), ozone exceeded the federal health standard for the first time this year, and this is the first exceedance since September 8th, 2022. The average (2010-2022) first exceedance day of the year is April 20th, so we are ahead of the average by just a bit. On the flip side, the earliest first exceedance was February 16th, 1981, and the latest first exceedance occurred May 5th, 2021.

It is not a shock to see ozone rise as it is the highest from May through September due to several factors, including longer day lengths allowing ozone more time to form and stagnant conditions that develop as high pressure moves overhead.

There are several tools that you can use to track ozone in the Valley:
Latest hourly air quality forecast for Phoenix >
Current air quality conditions across the state >
Yesterday's pollution report >
Year-to-Date pollution report >

HIGH POLLUTION ADVISORY...

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.

Current Air Quality Alerts

Ozone High Pollution Advisory in effect for Phoenix on 4/21/2023. Forecast >