By Adeel Hassan NY Times, Aug. 6, 2021
The Air Quality Index measures the density of five pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It was established by the Environmental Protection Agency as a way to communicate to Americans the cleanliness of the air they are breathing each day. Read more
DEP has declared an Air Quality Action Day due to OZONE pollution in the Susquehanna Valley, PA, for Wednesday, Aug 25
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Wednesday, Aug 25: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone
57 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Thursday, Aug 26: 98 AQI Moderate Ozone
57 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current conditions: A ridge of high pressure building into Pennsylvania is bringing mostly sunny skies and hotter air into the area this Tuesday afternoon. Ozone levels are increasing, but remain in the good range. However, particle pollution (PM2.5) remains moderate in parts of the area. Deteriorating air quality is in store for the next couple of days with light winds, mostly sunny skies, and recirculating air. *** Wednesday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Wednesday!! Ozone formation during the late morning/afternoon will be robust, and 8-hour maximum concentrations are expected to reach into the code ORANGE range. PM2.5 levels will remain in the moderate range through the day as skies will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching into the middle 90s. *** Extended forecast: The heat is expected to continue Thursday, with sunshine for the most part, and again, code ORANGE ozone concentrations are possible. Chances for afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity may temper the heat and subsequent ozone formation Friday into Saturday, so only moderate ozone and PM2.5 concentrations may occur on these days. It might not be until early next week until we can get a bonafide cold front to pass through and cool things off just in time for the start of September. —McAuliffe
Residents and businesses within the ozone Air Quality Action Day area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by:
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling; and
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.
Harrisburg, PA. An Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter will be in effect once again in the Susquehanna Valley for Wednesday, July 21. A cold front pushing to the south and east will improve conditions and help to move the wildfire smoke out of the area, but this feature will not arrive until the afternoon to early evening hours. A slight chance for showers and possibly a few thunderstorms will occur in advance of the arrival of this front, but these will not be widespread enough to help to clean out the air prior to the frontal passage.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter for Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in the following areas of Pennsylvania:
• The southeastern counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia;
• The Lehigh Valley-Berks Area which includes the counties of Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton;
• The southcentral counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York; and
• The southwestern counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland.
Smoke from wildfires in northern and western Canada, along with light winds, will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range on Tuesday.
| Forecast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 20: | 101 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |  | Ozone |
| 53 AQI | Moderate |  | Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Thursday, Jan 14 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow’s Forecast | ||||
| Thursday, Jan 14: | 102 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Friday, Jan 15: | 66 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions: **An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for the day Thursday** After another morning of elevated fine particulate concentrations, levels are decreasing this Wednesday afternoon under a brisk west to southwest wind. Nonetheless, most locations will end up well into the moderate range. Fine particulate levels will increase overnight with a developing inversion and near calm winds. *** Thursday’s forecast: Fine particulate matter concentrations will be high Thursday morning, and there will not be enough afternoon mixing to keep levels out of the code ORANGE range, with the Lancaster area perhaps ending up with the highest concentrations. Skies should be partly sunny with a mild afternoon. * |
| A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Monday, Dec 21 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow’s Forecast | ||||
| Monday, Dec 21: | 103 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Tuesday, Dec 22: | 40 AQI | Good |  |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions: ***An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Monday***. Calm to very light westerly winds, another strong morning inversion, and increasing weekday emissions from mobile and stationary sources will all act to create fine particulate concentrations in the code ORANGE range Monday. Fine particulate concentrations are expected to be at their highest during the morning hours. * |
| A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Dec 20 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow’s Forecast | ||||
| Sunday, Dec 20: | 103 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Monday, Dec 21: | 64 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Tuesday, Dec 22: | 39 AQI | Good | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions: An Air Quality Action Day is effect for the day Sunday. Stagnant surface winds, a moderately strong inversion, and snow cover will all act to bring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations to the code ORANGE range Sunday. Concentrations will be highest during the morning hours, and then fall some during the afternoon with a slight south wind. The day will turn out mostly cloudy with only a rain or snow shower. *** Monday’s forecast: Another weak weather system will bring a rain or snow shower later Monday or Monday evening with enough low level mixing from the south and southwest to where only moderate PM2.5 concentrations are expected. *** Extended forecast: Better air quality in the good range is expected by Tuesday, as a northwesterly flow will increase and be rather brisk in the afternoon. High pressure builds back in by Wednesday, but then a strong cold front brings rain to the area Christmas eve. A blast of very cold air will then follow for Christmas day and Saturday. Air quality should be in the good range Wednesday through Saturday.—McAuliffe |
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling; and
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.
Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:
* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
| A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Monday, Nov 9 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow’s Forecast | ||||
| Monday, Nov 9: | 120 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Tuesday, Nov 10: | 65 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions:**An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for the day Monday** Fine particulate concentrations are elevated in the code ORANGE range across most of the area this Sunday afternoon, and these levels will continue into the day Monday as a stagnant weather pattern continues. *** Monday’s forecast: A strong temperature inversion in tandem with weak low and mid level winds will allow for PM2.5 buildups during the day Monday. Code ORANGE concentrations of this pollutant are likely with mostly sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. The highest concentrations will likely be across Lancaster County during the morning hours. *** Extended forecast: Air quality will improve Tuesday as a strong upper level ridge starts to break down and allows for an increase in low level winds, mixing, and dispersion. Nonetheless, moderate air quality is still likely. Further improvements to the good range will occur by Wednesday as a cold front approaches and brings an opportunity for some needed rainfall. Cooler air will follow this front late this week, with temperatures moving down closer to November normals.—McAuliffe |
* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
| Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Nov 8 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forecast | ||||
| Sunday, Nov 8: | 104 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Monday, Nov 9: | 100 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Tuesday, Nov 10: | 65 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions: **An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Sunday ** Air quality with respect to fine particulate is deteriorating this Saturday across the area as a powerfully strong ridge of high pressure builds across the commonwealth. This high is expected to hold in place through the day Sunday. The result will be very light winds, strong temperature inversions, and further PM2.5 buildups, likely into the code ORANGE range during the day Sunday, with the highest concentrations occurring during the morning hours. *** Extended forecast: The upper level high will hang on for another day on Monday with similar meteorological conditions expected which may be favorable for another code ORANGE day. We will be issuing an updated forecast later on Sunday in regard to the PM situation. The ridge will finally start breaking down and air quality improving with increasing low level flow by Tuesday, and a cold front then brings an opportunity for showers by Wednesday.—McAuliffe |
Residents and businesses within the ozone Air Quality Action Day area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by:
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling; and
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.
Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:
* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
This forecast is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).
* For more information on the health effects of PM 2.5 and ozone, visit the EPA Airnow website.
* To see the current forecast and monitoring information for the Susquehanna valley Region, visit us online at the PA DEP Forecast and Monitoring Site.
