DEP declares Ozone Action Day for May 12 in Susquehanna Valley
| 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 Groups  Ozone 78 AQI Moderate  Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)Extended Forecast Saturday, May 13: 45 AQI Good  Ozone*** 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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