The Monsoon and Unhealthy Ozone

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz 
Weather / Air Quality
________________________________

Ozone will be a problem again in the unhealthy range. So people with respiratory issues should limit activity. Healthy people should take caution as well. 

Will the monsoon come and alleviate the unhealthy air quality?

Forecast Discussion: Ozone has been exceptionally high the past couple days as a monsoonal high pressure has persistently remained over the Four Corners region. This system has resulted in an easterly, upper-level flow over the Valley, which acts to "lock" ozone over central parts of the Valley and allows it to accumulate. Nine Valley monitors exceeded the health standard yesterday. Looking ahead, a ridge of high pressure is forecast to remain situated over the Southwest for the next several days. Consequently, the atmosphere over the Valley is expected to be stagnant and support ozone accumulation. Hence, the ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) has been extended into Thursday. It is likely that an HPA will be issued for Friday, depending on timing of thunderstorm activity. Regarding thunderstorms, thunderstorms are likely to develop each day over the higher terrain in southeast Arizona and to the north/northeast of Phoenix. Due to the very moist atmosphere over much of south central Arizona, these storms will have to the potential to reach the Valley. For today, there is agreement in high resolution models that a strong outflow could impact the Valley from the south later this afternoon. This would result in blowing dust impacting the Valley. Elevated PM-10 is thus possible this evening. Any rain will help to shut down PM-10. Blowing dust will continue to be a possibility each afternoon/evening this week. Check back tomorrow for the next air quality forecast...

Storms are expected around the metro area for the next few days and into the first of July.  

Hopefully these storms produce enough rain to clean the air, wet the land, and keep ozone at bay.

Source: AirNOW,  Weather Underground

Wet Weather on its Way

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz 

Weather / Air Quality
______________________________________

Welcome February weather this last week of January: 

Forecast Discussion: The trough to the west is bearing down on Arizona bringing the overcast skies that we are currently seeing. We are confident that most of the state will receive a fair amount of precipitation, which will help improve air quality the next couple days. The Phoenix area will likely receive between a quarter to a half inch of rain with some areas getting even more. Rain should begin late tonight and last most of Friday with scattered showers continuing through Saturday as well. Conditions should begin clearing out late on Saturday with mostly sunny skies expected for Super Bowl Sunday. While the weather is looking good for the Super Bowl, the Phoenix Open will have to contend with wet conditions and temperatures in the lower 60's on Friday and Saturday. Remember, with all the festivities going on the next few days there will be more cars than usual on the road, so be safe while driving in the rainy conditions. Check back on Friday for a closer look at the weekend's weather and air quality.

Source: AIRNow

Second Hand Smoke Can Ruin Air Quality for the New Year

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Air Quality / Weather
_____________________________

Welcome to Winter 2015. A New Year's Eve storm will usher in cold, cold. cold, with a slight chance of rain for the Valley and other lower deserts.

The real concern is everyone polluting the air as the breathable air column descends and gets caught under the inversion layer. That means what goes up, fireplace smoke and fireworks, will be breathed in. Talk about second hand smoke!

So give the gift of breathing, do not use your fireplaces on New Year's Eve or Day. There is going to be enough smog in the Valley as it is. And, you could brighten someone's New Year by not sending them to the ER.

Here's the rest of the forecast:

Forecast Discussion: All eyes are on the approaching storm system to affect our region over the New Year's holiday. Latest weather model runs are in and the consensus is a colder and drier event; for the lower deserts. The moisture tap into our area peaks during Wednesday morning and afternoon. This is when cloud cover increases and the Phoenix Metro has the best shot at observing rain, particularly the higher terrain east and north. Ultimately, less rainfall and precipitation ending for the lower elevations around sunset New Year’s Eve will have consequences for air quality. This is a particularly cold storm that will lead to well below normal temperatures for much of the area, especially when winds turn light and cloud cover begins to break during the evening and overnight. Under these conditions, fireplace activity and fireworks can quickly contribute enough to PM-2.5 to warrant concerns for air quality. For instance, on New Year’s Eve 2012, similar weather conditions occurred when mostly clear skies, light winds, and cool temperatures developed during the evening. Despite relatively low PM-2.5 observations for much of the day, average hourly PM-2.5 concentrations leading into midnight surpassed 100 µg/m3 for some sites; pushing daily AQI values into the upper Moderate category for that day. Therefore, a PM-2.5 Health Watch has been issued for Wednesday, December 31st, 2014. Additionally, elevated PM-2.5 concentrations would carry over into New Year’s day. Subfreezing morning lows on Thursday will be slow to warm to near 50°F by afternoon. Light winds and long-lasting inversions are likely during this time. This means a PM-2.5 High Pollution Advisory is likely for New Year’s Day.

Source: AirNow

What Happens to Air Quality When the NO BURN Days are Ignored*** Updated

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz
Air Quality  / Weather 
___________________________________

Without wind and with the cold inversion layer, the Valley of the Sun's air becomes unhealthy, even hazardous to breathe.

There is really no excuse for this type of terrible air quality. 

Please do not burn your fireplaces and let the rest of us breathe.

*************************************************
Update: the Air Quality worsens as the night progresses

Air Quality Warning as Fireplaces Smoke Out Phoenix

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz 

Weather / Air Quality
_________________________________

Air Quality for the next couple of days will be unhealthy and a challenge for those individuals with respiratory illnesses while everyone uses their fireplaces for festivities instead of necessity.

Forecast Discussion: The ridge off the west coast continues to influence our region bringing stable conditions. We have also seen drier air move into the area over the last 24 hours which will allow cooler minimum temperatures and stronger morning inversions. This will further help to trap particulates and increase their concentrations. The atmospheric stability along with increased burning activity associated with Christmas means today and Christmas will likely see concentrations of PM-2.5. The forecast for Christmas day was slightly more challenging due to some expected winds. A trough will be moving through the area tomorrow afternoon which will help with ventilation; however I expect light winds in the morning hours and PM-2.5 concentrations in the morning to be high enough that there will still be an exceedance even with some increased ventilation in the afternoon. I will admit that if winds are stronger than expected in the morning hours on Christmas, then PM-2.5 concentrations may be healthier than anticipated. Looking at the weather for the next few days, skies should be mostly sunny and temperatures will cool after the trough passes. Still no precipitation in the forecast due to the ridge that continues to sit off the west coast; hopefully we can get some strong enough lows to break down that ridge and bring us more rain.

There is a better way.

Turn off the fireplace and turn on Youtube: 8 HOURS ✰ Best Fireplace HD 1080p video ✰ Relaxing fireplace sound ✰ Christmas fire, Full HD. Festivities saved.

You may just save a life. 


Source: Airnnow

ADEQ Geoengineering / Chemtrails Public Meeting June 25, 2014

Staff Writer, Nicole Meyer-Greene
GeoEngineering / Government
___________________________________

These are citizen videos of the ADEQ Geoengineering / Chemtrail Public Meeting, June 25, 2014 in Kingman, Mohave County, Arizona. Residents are angry that toxic chemicals are being sprayed and no one is willing to put a stop to this illegal activity.

The United Nations under the cover of secrecy and fictitious global warming has been spraying member nations, especially of NATO, with chemicals for Solar Radiation Management. A real program that does more damage to the Earth and the ozone than the Earth's natural climate.

Here are the videos: 

Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3

Part 3 of 3

Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward
ADEQ Administrative Council, Sherri Zendri
ADEQ Public Affairs Director, Beth Hager

Since the VDP Gazette staff have witnessed geoengineering spraying in the Greater Phoenix area as well as researched this topic, we support public involvement to collect evidence, protest, and halt all these programs.

See our GeoEngineering page for patents, studies, and reports on this eco-terrorism.

Source: Youtube

Monsoon Cool Down and Decent Air Quality, Week of July 15

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Weather / Air Quality
___________________________________

Today's Air Quality

Forecast Discussion: Forecast models did very well with Sunday's storms in regards to timing and location. Areas in the southeast Valley are cleaning up this morning after severe weather rolled through the area. Reports of hail, downed trees, winds in excess of 60 mph and over an inch of rain in less than an hour came in as the storm moved west. Typically after a storm like that, the Valley is tapped of energy and the following day is a down-day. However, models are in agreement that we could see another round Monday afternoon. They differ slightly on whether storms move through the Valley or skirt metro area to the north and south, merging again in western Maricopa County. There could be isolated downpours, hazardous lightning, damaging winds, and hail. This will be the last chance for rain until next Sunday or Monday as the monsoon high moves to northern California. Much drier air moves into Arizona by Wednesday. Expect middle Moderate ozone levels through Wednesday. PM10 levels should be back in the Good range following Sunday's rain event and any subsequent precipitation on Monday.

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel

Monsoon 2014, Dust Storms, Flash Floods, and Air Quality Concerns

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
_________________________________

Welcome to Monsoon Season. This week and weekend are full of monsoon moisture. July 3rd, Phoenix and surrounding areas were hit by a dust storm, haboob, and thunder showers.

So baton down the hatches, it's going to be a bumpy ride especially with air quality being poor in the forecast.

Tomorrow's Air Quality

AN OZONE HEALTH WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MONDAY, JULY 7, 2014… …A PM-10 HEALTH WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MONDAY, JULY 7, 2014… Once the cloud cover erodes another round of thunderstorms is expected to develop over the higher terrain north and east of the Valley. The steering flow is similar to yesterday (weak out of the northeast) and storms will likely slowly propagate off the higher terrain into the lower elevations later this afternoon and evening. Gusty winds and chances for rainfall can be expected. Because of the northeast flow dust concerns are low. This does not hold true for tomorrow, as models are advertising another possible strong haboob coming from Pinal County during the early evening under east-southeasterly flow. Rainfall is possible, as well. The potential precipitation and the fact that Pinal County has recently observed more significant rainfall accumulation may lower the dust risk, but a PM-10 Health Watch for Monday still seems warranted. We will look at future model runs for any necessary adjustments. Also, ozone is already elevated at some sites and a more easterly flow over the Valley tomorrow can block ozone precursors and allow them to accumulate. The increase in traffic won’t help either. Therefore, an ozone health watch has been issued for Monday, as well.

July 2014
4th-7th. Monsoonal showers, still hot for parts of Arizona.
8th-11th. Changeable skies: mixed clouds, sun. Risk of a shower, thunderstorm.
12th-15th. Clouds, few widely scattered showers.
16th-19th. Warm, dry.
20th-23rd. Unusual heavy monsoonal storms Arizona.
24th-27th. Hot, dry.
28th-31st. Continued hot.

Source: Weather Channel, AIRNow, Farmer's Almanac,

Phoenix Ozone Health Watch with More Triple Digit Heat

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
__________________________________

As of 9am the Ozone concentration was reported at 67. That is the number forecast for tomorrow and we have already hit that mark this morning.

Ozone is definitely the big story this week. Concentrations have pushed into the middle to upper part of the Moderate range over the past 48 hours. Models suggest we could see one or two monitors approach the health standard on Friday. Thus, we are issuing an Ozone Health Watch for Friday. History shows that the day after such an event usually sees lower concentrations. PM10 levels continue to be mostly in the Good range with one or two local monitors (West 43rd and South Phoenix) in the lower Moderate range. Daytime highs will hold steady between 106-111°F Friday through next week as high pressure maintains its position to the south. We're watching the long-range models for an indication of when the monsoon shift may occur. We are starting to see some signs of high pressure migrating north near the Four Corners around the 16th to the 21st of June. Thunderstorm activity may begin to pop up in Arizona's mountains around that time, but wide-spread moisture will likely hold off until the end of June.

For those individuals with respiratory issues, please limit outdoor exposure and stay in filtered air.

As the temperatures suggest, there is no end insight for triple digit heat, ozone production, or the monsoon. 

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel

Excessive Heat, Summer Sun, No Dust

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
_______________________________

It is going to be a scorcher for the first week in June. An Excessive Heat Warning is out especially for tomorrow's 112F. No high winds or dust storms likely. No break from the summer heat as temperatures stay above 105F.

Today's Air Quality

Forecast Discussion: The Phoenix-area air quality was again in the Good range for all pollutants on Saturday. The approach of a trough of low pressure from the northwest has helped to clear the air by providing some good mixing. High pressure to the southeast will hold its position this week, keeping that trough to the north of Arizona as it slowly advances east this week. Daytime highs across the Valley may reach 110°F on Monday, shaving a degree or two through the week, and eventually "cooling" to 105°F. Expect ozone levels to push back into the lower Moderate range by Monday and Tuesday under sunny skies. Particulates should hold in the upper part of the Good range. We do not anticipate any significant dust events this week.

Source: AIRNow, Weather, 

Triple Digit Yo-Yo Heat Ready for Action

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
________________________________

Hot and somewhat dry. Dew points have been in the 40's while humidity has been averaging in the 30-40% range. Desert heat comes and goes this week but only showing how this summer will be: hot. Just hot.

Memorial Day's Air Quality

Forecast Discussion: A salute to the veterans who gave their lives serving our county - Happy Memorial Day! Air quality conditions have fared pretty well in recent days. The modeled forecast of possible dust outflow from storms southwest of the Valley on Friday did verify with storm development, but did not result in dust. In fact local PM10 levels are in the middle Good range. With high pressure surging over Arizona Monday through Wednesday, winds should remain mostly light, keeping the threat of dust out of the picture. Ozone concentrations, however, may remain in the middle Moderate range much of the week under sunny skies. Daytime temperatures in Phoenix will range from 105-108°F Monday through Wednesday.

May 2014

24th-27th. Changeable skies: mixed cloud, sun, possible shower. Cool temperatures.
28th-31st. Possible showers again.

June 2014

1st-3rd. Changeable skies: mixed clouds, sun. Risk of a shower.
4th-7th. Varying amounts of clouds, sun. Dry.


Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel, Farmer's Almanac  

Do You Want a Dust Storm with Dinner?

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
_________________________________

The start of the weekend looks good but there is the possibility of a dust storm from dry thunderstorms coming in from the west and southwest. Then Phoenix will be headed into the triple digits once again. A tropical storm is ramping up in the southwestern waters off Mexico. What will happen? Nothing so far in the forecast seems to indicate any problems from this tropical depression as it strengthens.

Still for those people with respiratory problems, stay inside with filtered air at any signs of dusty air.

Forecast Discussion: The lingering area of low pressure to the west finally opens up and and catches a ride on the main jet stream over the weekend. Before this happens, however, Arizona will see an influx of moisture into the eastern half of the state. Models also show possible dry thunderstorms developing in southwestern Arizona Friday afterno

Saturday's Air Quality Forecast

on near Yuma and Gila Bend. The outflow could generate some dust moving in all directions. The first PM10 monitor that would impacted in the Valley would be the Buckeye monitor. Models have the wind field (and possible dust) moving east across the Valley between 6 and 8 pm. This is the second consecutive day the models have had this solution. We have raised the PM10 forecast to reflect this possibility. Ozone levels may also increase on Saturday in response to Friday's outflow. The same model shows possible thunderstorm outflow moving south from Prescott into north Phoenix Saturday afternoon on the back side of the eastward-moving low pressure system. This would potentially affect the Surprise/Dysart/Sun City/north Peoria area the most. It's going to be a very active, interesting couple of days weather-wise which increase air quality uncertainty.

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel 

Rain? You Don't Say

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
_____________________________________

Tomorrow the Valley of the Sun has a 30% chance of rain.

Forecast Discussion: Low pressure to the west will spin in place through much of the week. The southwest-to-northeast flow will keep the potential ozone and precursor train from southern California moving into Arizona. The good news is that smoke from southern California wildfires won't be much of an influence as crews have mostly subdued them. Local ozone levels continue to decrease steadily with highest levels in the lower Moderate range. With the churning trough of low pressure to the west, Arizona can expect gusty winds Tuesday and Wednesday. This could cause localized pockets of dust in the vicinity of recently disturbed soil. Overall maximum PM10 levels, however, should remain mostly in the Good range. Conditions improve Thursday as winds decrease.

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel, 

Instant Summer, Just Add Heat and Ozone

Staff Writer, DB Holmes
Weather / Air Quality
_________________________________

The heat gives us a break at the mid part of the week and then slowly builds back in as a cut off low spins away. For respiratory issues sufferers, the ozone has replaced dust and particulates in causing breathing difficulties. The ozone should return to a more normal range for this time of the year as clouds and cooler weather enter the picture this week.

May 19 Air Quality Forecast

Forecast Discussion: If the triple-digit heat came a little too early for you (104°F at Sky Harbor Friday and Saturday), take heart. Temperatures will "cool" to around 90°F by Wednesday as a trough of low pressure moves over Arizona. This trough will actually become cut off from the main flow, sitting over our area through next weekend as it eventually spins out and loses energy. This could eventually be good as far as wildfires go. Towards the end of the week, the low is expected to draw some moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into eastern Arizona. The mountains could see some showers next Saturday and Sunday. Regardless of the rain, the increased humidity should help reduce fire behavior. Ozone is the current topic of conversation. Yuma exceeded the 8-hour ozone health standard on Friday. Typically we'll see levels do the same in the Valley a day later. However, we were spared as the flow was more to the north-northeast rather than east-northeast. Unfortunately, Alamo Lake, Prescott, and Flagstaff all exceeded the standard on Saturday. Exceeding the ozone standard in those non-major-metropolitan areas is a classic case of ozone import from the west. Let's not forget that smoke from southern California may have played a role in enhancing the ozone development upstream. Looking forward, high clouds Sunday should keep ozone production down slightly. This may be just enough help to avoid exceeding the standard in Valley. Stronger winds develop Monday through Wednesday which should also help break up the invisible plume, decreasing the threat of elevated readings. Dust doesn't seem to be much of a concern for us this week, especially when moisture is drawn in later in the week.

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel,

Ozone Concern and Triple Digit Heat for the Desert Valley

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
____________________________________

Phoenix should have a quiet weather weekend as winds are subdued and temperatures remain hot. Ozone rose but now the westerly winds will pick up the smoke from the California wildfires. People with respiratory issues should take note.

Here is the rest of the forecast:

Forecast Discussion: Ozone levels soared into the upper Moderate range across the forecast area on Thursday, and that was without the help of southern California wildfire smoke. Now that the flow has switched out of the west, the likelihood of smoke-enhanced ozone affecting Arizona increases. In fact, locations north of the Valley (Prescott, Flagstaff) could see elevated concentrations the next several days. Locally, Valley concentrations will remain in the upper part of the Moderate range through Sunday. Winds will increase Sunday afternoon as another trough of low pressure approaches the region. This should break up the invisible daily plume of ozone, effectively lowering concentrations. PM10 levels should also remain in the Good range the next several days, increasing Sunday through early next week with stronger winds. Expect daytime temperatures to reach 102-104°F Friday through Sunday, decreasing Monday. Unfortunately, no rain is in the forecast for at least another 2 weeks.

Source: AIRNow 

Desert Heat with a Hint of Chicago Wind; Where's Our Spring Rains?

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality
_________________________________

Phoenix will still have breezy conditions throughout the ten day forecast but Sunday through Tuesday will see the winds kick up again. No precipitation in sight.

Forecast Discussion: Winds out of the east this morning are gusting 30 mph at times. There are no significant visibility reductions being reported at Valley monitoring sites, but there is some haze out there. This is likely a combination of long-range dust transport and wildfire smoke that has entered the Phoenix Metro area from the Skunk Fire, burning about 100

Tomorrow's Air Quality Forecast

miles to the east. Wildfire smoke does contain ozone precursors, so an increase in ozone production today is possible, but the smoke will be well dispersed and be gaining lift with the heating of the day. Overall, the wildfire smoke seems to be having minimal impacts on our current air quality. Wind speeds start to drop off later this afternoon when the pressure gradient relaxes. There have been brief periods of elevated PM-10 at some sites today due to the gusty winds, but generally PM-10 will still range from the upper Good to lower Moderate range today. As high pressure makes its way over us tomorrow and Friday, much lighter winds and above average temps around 100 degrees are expected. Ozone at this time may reach lower Moderate levels under clear skies and light westerly flow, while PM levels register in the Good category.

Southwest U.S. Long Range Weather Forecast
16th-19th. Fair, warmer.
20th-23rd. Scattered showers.
24th-27th. Changeable skies: mixed cloud, sun, possible shower. Cool temperatures.
28th-31st. Possible showers again.

Last year's May 14th Statistics:

High Temp:	101.7F
Low Temp:	69.8F
Average Temp:	87F
Dewpoint:	36.7F
Wind Speed:	4.1 Knots

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel, Farmer's Almanac,   

Windy, Dry Conditions May Create Another Dust Event

Staff Writer, DB Holmes
Weather / Air Quality
_________________________________

When will this wind end? Not for the next 48 hours or so. Phoenix can expect windy conditions to persist with PM 10 and 2.5 particles being kicked up again.

Forecast Discussion: What an impressive dust event we saw Sunday morning. Contrary to some media reports out there, this was not a localized event. This was not a "dust storm". This was not isolated to Arizona. A large trough of low pressure moved through the western U.S. The leading edge of the cold front churned up an impressive amount of dust extending from the desert valleys of California and Nevada, through Baja, and finally northeast through Arizona and New Mexico. Looking at concentrations from monitors to the west, California was hit hard with dust first on Saturday morning. Around 10pm Saturday night, it was Las Vegas that got hit. Yuma saw concentrations spike around midnight. Then dust moved into the Phoenix area around 2 am on Sunday. The cold front continued east through the early morning hours, and by 11 am, levels and visibility improved significantly. About the same time our air cleared, Albuquerque, NM got slammed. This was a major dust event that could not be prevented on a local level no matter what control measures were in place. Nature vs. Man, and Nature won easily. As of 10am Monday morning, Phoenix-area PM10 levels are back in the Good range. Looking ahead, high pressure will move overhead this week, pushing daytime into the triple digits by Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, we may see some more dust on Wednesday, this time from the east. Concentrations, however, should not result in an exceedance here in the Valley. Expect ozone levels to increase as well under sunny skies. The northeast and east winds could trap ozone and precursors in the Valley by mid-week, sending levels well into the Moderate range.

Anyone with respiratory issues may want to wear a mask or stay indoors with a good air filter. 

Source: AIRNow 

Is it Summer Yet?

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality

______________________________________

The triple digits are not far away but have been postponed for another few days. Air quality will improve as the wind subsides.

Today's Air Quality Forecast

The cold front responsible for kicking up winds and dust yesterday has cleared the state. All monitors yesterday recorded PM readings in the Moderate category. Elevated readings and some haze are still noticeable this morning, but breezy winds by afternoon will help disperse dust. Also, enough moisture and instability exists for light showers to develop over the higher terrain north and east of Phoenix during the afternoon. A cooler air mass has moved in and high temperatures in the upper 70s today are about 10 to 15 degrees below normal for early May. Temps will be somewhat slow to recover as Arizona remains under the influence of a broad area of troughing. Air quality improves by tomorrow, but ozone will continue to range in the upper Good to lower Moderate categories.

Source: AIRNOW,  Weather Channel,

Giant Frogs, Giant Frogs, That's the Weather, Back to You

Staff Writer, DB Holmes

Weather / Air Quality

______________________________________

The heat is on right after a tiny three day vacation full of wind and potential dust. Is this the last gasp of spring weather making its way into the desert forecast? Or will the Valley of the Sun see more unsettled weather until Monsoon season begins? 

May 2014 Forecast for the Southwestern Region of the United States:

4th-7th. A few widely scattered showers.
8th-11th. Drier with some sunshine.
12th-15th. Clouds increase, turning warmer California, points east.
16th-19th. Fair, warmer.
20th-23rd. Scattered showers.
24th-27th. Changeable skies: mixed cloud, sun, possible shower. Cool temperatures.
28th-31st. Possible showers again.

The weather appears to be unstable with unseasonably low or high temperatures and storms that have moisture but leave Phoenix high and dry. Pretty soon, the forecast will call for giant frogs. Could the solar minimum be the cause of such erratic behavior in our weather patterns?

Forecast Discussion: Our hot and quiet weather this weekend will abruptly end early this week when the current ridge of high-pressure over the western U.S. flattens and is eventually replaced by a mid to upper-level trough of low-pressure. Generally, temps will go down, while southwesterly winds increase, peaking on Tuesday. Afternoon breezes up to 15 mph are expected to begin today and Monday. On Tuesday, widespread blowing dust across the Phoenix Metropolitan area is becoming more probable as models advertise sustained winds up to 25 mph with higher gusts. PM levels could reach the middle to upper Moderate range, but this may need to be adjusted higher depending on tomorrow’s model runs and how the storm is developing. An Air Pollution Health Watch for elevated PM-10 levels may be required for Tuesday (stay tuned). Ozone is also expected to reach the middle to upper Moderate range Monday and Tuesday as the storm imports precursors, but should fall back into the Good range in the wake of the storm’s passage. No precipitation is anticipated for the lower deserts, but high temps by Tuesday will be much cooler in the 80s. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and check back tomorrow for an updated forecast concerning the possible dust event on Tuesday!

The temperature forecast:

Last Year on this date:

High Temp:	94.1F
Low Temp:	66.6F
Average Temp:	80.1F
Dewpoint:	27.2F
Wind Speed:	6.8 Knots

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel, Farmer's Almanac 

Triple Digits, Santa Ana, and Blowing Dust

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Weather / Air Quality
____________________________________

Triple digits will hit this weekend as a high pressure system comes over the Southwest, including Southern California which will bring Santa Ana conditions. Wind will lessen as the temperatures go higher but with another low pressure system on its way, windy conditions will return by the start of the week.

Forecast Discussion: After a windy past few days, much quieter weather is expected through the upcoming weekend due to a ridge of high pressure moving over the region. PM-10 levels across the Phoenix area were up into the Moderate category, but have since returned to the Good range as yesterday’s haze has cleared out and winds have calmed. Currently, most of the observation network is reporting Good pollutant levels. We are not expecting too much fluctuation in these readings besides an increase in ozone under increasingly west to southwest flow. The bigger story will be hot high temperatures nearing 100ºF for both Saturday and Sunday. Looking ahead, an early week storm system could cause blowing dust issues on Tuesday along with a 15 degree cool down in high temperatures. More on this potential dust event with the next forecast update.

Source: AIRNow, Weather Channel