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DEP extends Air Quality alert to June 7

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Wednesday, Jun 7
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Wednesday, Jun 7:147 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 76 AQIModerateOzone
Extended Forecast
Thursday, Jun 8:93 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 80 AQIModerateOzone

Current Conditions as of 1 PM on Tuesday: Wildfire smoke has moved overhead from fires in Canada which has degraded the air quality across the region. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) remain elevated while the smoke/haze has limited ozone formation under otherwise mostly sunny skies. *** Wednesday’s Forecast: An area of low pressure centered close to Maine/Nova Scotia with high pressure to the northwest will continue the northerly flow on Wednesday. This northerly flow will bring more waves of wildfire smoke into the region over the course of the day. With the wildfires to the north continuing to be fueled by dry conditions with breezy winds, the threat of periods of elevated concentrations of PM-2.5 close to the surface will remain. An Air Quality Action Day will be declared once again for Wednesday due to the risk of hours with higher concentrations being observed. Areas where the thicker plumes manage to miss will see concentrations in the higher end of the moderate range on average for the day. With the smoke causing hazy conditions, ozone formation will again be limited. Locations with a lower density of smoke overhead will see higher amounts of sunshine reaching the surface which may allow for moderate levels of ozone concentrations to be observed. *** Extended Outlook: Similar conditions may continue Thursday so transport of the wildfire smoke with the northerly flow will continue to be monitored. At a minimum, moderate air quality is expected for both PM-2.5 and ozone concentrations. The area of low pressure will finally begin to be pushed eastward on Friday. This may not end the threat for periods of elevated concentrations due to the smoke for Friday but may at least begin a transition to an improvement in air quality conditions for the weekend. Some much-needed rainfall may even arrive for the second half of the weekend. –
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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for May 31

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Wednesday, May 31
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Wednesday, May 31:130 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 58 AQIModerateOzone
Extended Forecast
Thursday, Jun 1:95 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 78 AQIModerateOzone

Current Conditions as of 1 PM on Tuesday: Temperatures are into the mid to upper 70s this afternoon under sunny skies. High pressure will be in control of the weather for the week with a warming trend through Friday bringing some heat to the region. *** Wednesday’s Forecast: Easterly flow from the last few days will continue Wednesday. Temperatures will climb a couple degrees higher than that of Tuesday. A mix of sun and clouds early will become mostly sunny by the afternoon. Hazy conditions are expected as a plume of smoke from a large wildfire in Nova Scotia will enter the region with the easterly flow around the area of high pressure. This smoke may be close enough to the surface that we see several hours with elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5). Due to this plume being forecasted to enter the region and remain overhead and likely near the surface for several hours, concentrations may be in the Code Orange range on average for the day for a number of sites. Ozone formation will be mostly limited with the plume overhead but could still reach the moderate range. *
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DEP declares Ozone Action Day for May 12 in Susquehanna Valley

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Friday, May 12 
Tomorrow’s Forecast Friday, May 12:
101 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone 
78 AQI ModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)

Extended Forecast Saturday, May 13:
45 AQI GoodOzone

*** Friday’s Forecast: High pressure will provide another day of mostly sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s. Some cloud cover will approach the region from the west later in the day. Winds will become a west to southwesterly breeze. The wildfire smoke that has been aloft but providing a hazy look to the sky over the last few days is expected to be pushed eastward for Friday. Some of this smoke may be mixed down closer to the surface, resulting in concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) to climb into the mid-moderate range on average for the day. With the mostly sunny skies, warm temperatures, southwesterly breeze, and concern that some of the wildfire smoke to be mixed down closer to the surface, an Air Quality Action Day (Code Orange) will be declared for ozone for Friday. Concentrations will climb high into the moderate range with some locations reaching Code Orange levels. *** Extended Outlook: An increase in cloud cover and chance for some showers will improve ozone conditions for Saturday as formation will be limited. PM-2.5 concentrations will begin to improve with winds becoming more northerly but may remain at levels inside the moderate range on average for the day. Temperatures will be slightly cooler compared to Friday with highs in the mid-70s. Sunshine will return for Sunday with a further improvement in air quality conditions as winds become more northerly. Temperatures will remain warm into next week with highs in the low to mid-70s. — Roble*

You are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution when an Air Quality Action Day is declared.* Here are some tips for reducing ozone pollution:  
• Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation;
   • Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
   • Limiting engine idling;
   • Refueling cars and trucks after dusk; and
   • Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.* Here are some tips for reducing fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) pollution:   • Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use;
   • Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
   • Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

* This air quality forecast was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).* The DEP’s air quality forecast for the Susquehanna Valley Area can also be found here.* Current air quality monitoring data for the Susquehanna Valley Area and other locations across Pennsylvania can be found at the EPA’s AirNow Interactive Map.*
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PA DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Dec. 29 in Susquehanna Valley

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Dec 29
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Dec 29:112 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Friday, Dec 30:100 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)


Current Conditions as of 1 PM on Wednesday: High pressure is providing mostly sunny skies with temperatures well into the 40s this afternoon. After a few days of frigid temperatures last weekend, we are looking to close out 2022 much warmer as we head into this weekend. *** Thursday’s Forecast: Thursday will be another mild day with temperatures climbing into the low 50s, which is several degrees above normal highs for this time of year. High pressure providing a light southwesterly breeze under mostly sunny skies will allow for the temperatures to warm nicely into the afternoon. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) will climb as chilly overnight and early morning temperatures will lead to the formation of a strong temperature inversion with the much warmer air moving in over the area just above the surface. Hourly values of the PM-2.5 concentrations will be higher during the period that the inversion is in place, but the light afternoon winds as temperatures warm to break the inversion will only provide a limited amount of mixing. Therefore, concentrations will be in the high end of the moderate range on average for the day with some sites possibly averaging out in the Code Orange range. An Air Quality Action Day will be declared as a result. 
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Air Quality Action Day declared by PA DEP for Susquehanna Valley for Nov. 24

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Nov 24
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Nov 24:102 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Friday, Nov 25:75 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Saturday, Nov 26:50 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Sunday, Nov 27:39 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Monday, Nov 28:34 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)

Current Conditions: A strong high pressure system over the Mid-Atlantic states is producing sunny skies and mild air this Wednesday afternoon. A morning inversion resulted in elevated fine particle (PM-2.5) levels, and limited mixing this afternoon is keeping overall PM-2.5 in the moderate range. Tonight, another inversion will develop, and fine particle pollution will tend to get trapped close to the surface once more. *** Thanksgiving Day forecast: An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for the day Thursday!! PM-2.5 will end up being highest prior to noon, with slightly better air quality during the afternoon. PM-2.5 concentrations will reach code ORANGE, especially in and around the Lancaster area. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny with a mild afternoon. *** Friday’s forecast: A weak cold front will bring more clouds and rain showers to the region Friday. PM-2.5 concentrations will still be elevated during the morning Friday, but increasing afternoon west to northwest winds should keep average concentrations down in the moderate range.
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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day on Oct. 23 for Susquehanna Valley

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Sunday, Oct 23
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Sunday, Oct 23: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Monday, Oct 24: 95 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Tuesday, Oct 25: 70 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current Conditions: Light winds are producing very little dispersion across the area this Saturday afternoon, and fine particle pollution (PM2.5) levels in the area will end up well into the moderate range. A strong inversion is likely to increase particles again tonight. *** Sunday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for Sunday! High PM2.5 levels during the morning hours Sunday will send daily averages into the code ORANGE range, mainly across Lancaster County. The highest PM2.5 will come prior to 11 a.m. Sunday morning. A light northeast wind will improve air quality during the afternoon. *** Monday’s forecast: PM2.5 will continue to be an issue as we move into the new workweek. Light south to southeast wind will again not allow for a good deal of mixing, so high moderate air quality is again likely. *
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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Aug. 4

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Aug 4
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Aug 4: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone
58 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Friday, Aug 5: 60 AQI Moderate Ozone
54 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current Conditions: Mostly sunny skies prevail this Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures close to the 90-degree mark are allowing ozone to move into the lower moderate range today. Low relative humidity is keeping fine particle pollution (PM2.5) down inside the good range. Tonight will be mostly clear with temperatures only falling into the lower 70s. *** Thursday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Thursday as it will turn out to be the hottest day of the week with sunshine and a few clouds and temperatures maxing out in the lower and middle 90s. Ozone development will be more rapid, with parts of the area reaching the code ORANGE range during the afternoon. PM2.5 averages will reach the moderate zone. A shower or thunderstorm is possible towards evening.
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Air Pollution Kills 10 Million People a Year.

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By David Wallace-Wells, Opinion Writer, NY Times, July 8, 2022

For every thousand people alive on earth, 973 are regularly inhaling toxins. Only 27 are not. Which means, almost certainly, you are too.

Last fall, the World Health Organization lowered its global air quality standard from 10 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter to five. Those terms and standards can feel abstract, which makes their meaning a bit hard to fathom.  Read more . . .

 

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DEP declares Ozone Air Quality Action Day for Saturday May 21

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Saturday, May 21   Tomorrow’s Forecast Saturday, May 21: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone   62 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)   Extended Forecast Sunday, May 22: 80 AQI Moderate Ozone   56 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 […]

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