Tag Archive for: ozone

DEP declares Code Orange for Ozone for Wednesday June 4

Hello Clean Air Board community,

We want you to know that DEP has declared an Air Quality Action Day for Ozone Pollution on Wednesday, June 4. Here are excerpts from their alert. 

A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Wednesday, Jun 4
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Wednesday, Jun 4:101 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 66 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Thursday, Jun 5:75 AQIModerateOzone
 60 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Friday, Jun 6:ModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 ModerateOzone
 Here are the forecast details: *** Wednesday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Wednesday. Sunshine through a layer of smoke as well as high temperatures in the upper 80s will lead to rapid ozone development, with peak afternoon concentrations in the code ORANGE range. Sensitive persons should take precautions and monitor air quality in their locality by visiting www.airnow.gov. PM2.5 will also increase Wednesday to the lower moderate range.

Almost Half of Americans Breathe Unhealthy Air, American Lung Association Report Finds

NY Times, April 23, 2025, by Rebecca Dzombak

At least 156 million Americans, about 46 percent of the population, live with unsafe levels of ozone, particulate pollution or both, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report. See more

DEP declares Ozone Air Quality Action Day on July 29

A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Monday, Jul 29
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Monday, Jul 29:105 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 63 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Tuesday, Jul 30:54 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 50 AQIGoodOzone
Wednesday, Jul 31:ModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 GoodOzone


Current Conditions: At 5 p.m. EDT this Sunday afternoon, skies were mostly sunny with temperatures around 90 degrees. Ozone and fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations were in the moderate range. The heat will continue Monday, then things turn unsettled Tuesday into Wednesday with opportunities for much needed rainfall. Here are the forecast details: *** Monday’s forecast: AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY IS IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY!! Mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the lower to middle 90s will result in ozone maximums in the code ORANGE range during the afternoon. Sensitive persons are urged to limit outdoor activity during the afternoon hours. PM2.5 will remain in the moderate range through the day. *** Extended forecast: Better air quality is in store Tuesday into Wednesday as things turn more unsettled with the chance for showers and thunderstorms. Air quality will average in the upper good to perhaps low moderate range. The heat returns late this week with ozone concentrations again rising by Thursday.—McAuliffe

* 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.

* For information on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the health effects of ozone and PM-2.5, visit the EPA’s AirNow AQI & Health webpage.

DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Ozone on July 9

A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Tuesday, Jul 9
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Tuesday, Jul 9:102 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
Tuesday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Tuesday! Code ORANGE ozone levels are likely again Tuesday as temperatures soar into the middle to upper 90s with a fair amount of sun and limited convective activity. PM2.5 will remain at low to middle moderate through the day. Heat indices will reach close to 105 in the afternoon. 

This air quality forecast was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

* 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.

* For information on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the health effects of ozone and PM-2.5, visit the EPA’s AirNow AQI & Health webpage.

DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for July 8

A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Monday, Jul 8
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Monday, Jul 8:102 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone

An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for the day Monday with ozone levels reaching code ORANGE levels during the afternoon as temperatures rise into the lower to middle 90s. A heat advisory is also in effect for Monday afternoon as well with heat indices reaching just over 100.

* 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.

* For information on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the health effects of ozone and PM-2.5, visit the EPA’s AirNow AQI & Health webpage.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has forecast a Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for the Lehigh-Berks and Susquehanna Valley areas in Pennsylvania. This includes the counties of Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, and York.

June 4, 2024, Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has forecast a Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for the Lehigh-Berks and Susquehanna valley areas in Pennsylvania. This includes the counties of Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, and York.  Mostly sunny skies and temperatures […]

DEP declares Code Orange alert for ozone on July 6

DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Ozone for July 6, 2023 in Lehigh Valley-Berks Area and Susquehanna Valley Area

A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Jul 6
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Jul 6:101 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 60 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current Conditions: At 2 p.m. EDT this Wednesday afternoon, skies were mostly sunny across the region with temperatures moving into the lower 90s. Ozone continues to develop near the ground, and most locations will have maximum concentrations reach the moderate range. With limited mixing, fine particulate (PM2.5) will also reach moderate levels. The heat is expected to continue through the day Thursday, with a slow cooling trend beginning Friday. A more unsettled weather regime is likely to occur over the weekend, with increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms. The increasing convective activity will keep ozone and PM2.5 levels down in the moderate range by Saturday. Now, here are the forecast details: *** Thursday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Thursday! Partly to mostly sunny and hot with ozone developing rapidly in the late morning and afternoon, with code ORANGE concentrations in parts of the area. A thunderstorm will also develop in parts of the area during the late afternoon. Fine particles will again average moderate, with the highest levels coming during the morning as an inversion is expected.

* This air quality forecast was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

* 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.

DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Aug. 4

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.

DEP declares Ozone Air Quality Action Day for Saturday May 21

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 […]