Tag Archive for: ozone

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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.

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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.
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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 […]

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DEP declares Ozone Action Day for Aug. 25

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.

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Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Jun 6
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Sunday, Jun 6:110 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 56 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)

*** Sunday’s forecast: Conditions will be favorable for ozone concentrations on Sunday to climb into the code ORANGE range. Light southwesterly flow around a strong area of high pressure combined with sunny skies will allow for the rise in concentrations. Fine particulate will also go into the lower moderate range as well.

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.

This forecast is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).

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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, May 20

Forecast
Thursday, May 20:101 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 53 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
**An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for ozone Thursday** Current conditions: A strong ridge of high pressure, both at the surface and aloft, is creating very warm conditions this Wednesday afternoon, and ozone formation has been robust in parts of the area. *** Thursday’s forecast: Elevated ozone is likely to continue into the day Thursday, with maximum 8 hour concentrations moving into the code ORANGE range with light winds and temperatures well into the 80s F. Fine particulate will also move into low moderate territory, with the highest levels most likely coming during the morning hours. ***
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Clean Air is Good for Birds too

Study: Air pollution laws aimed at human health also help birds

U.S. pollution regulations meant to protect people from dirty air are also saving North America’s birds, according to a new study. Improved air quality under a federal program to reduce ozone pollution may have averted the loss of 1.5 billion birds during the past 40 years, the study found. That’s nearly 20% of bird life in the United States today.  Read more.

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DEP issues a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Monday, August 10, 2020

 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Monday, August 10, 2020, for the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania, the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York in southcentral Pennsylvania, and the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, […]