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 

Earth to Villa de Paz: You MIght Be Missing an Electron

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Medicine / Holistic

___________________________

Life sometimes leads on little journeys you have no idea why. You end up here and there. Then in a circular way you end up answering a question you didn't even know you had. 

The other day I was talking with a neighbor in Villa de Paz on the phone. Sorry, I don't remember who I was talking to, thank you brain inflammation, but I do remember what we were talking about: migraines. 

I suggested that she detox. In my experience many people with migraine and pain issues are full of environmental toxins that need to be taken out of their unbalanced systems. I know that is still correct, but she led me into another theory: Earthing. 

Earthing is the principle by which a person gets back to nature. Take your shoes off and stand on the Earth. As long as you are natural with nothing between you and dirt, grass, or even unsealed concrete, you are on the right path as it were.

Here's a little background before you go reading the Source material: the Earth is full of electrons. You have pain, illness, or dis-ease then you are in need of more electrons!  

The Lightning connection: 

There is a very significant electrical potential difference between the ground and the upper atmosphere that is responsible for generating lightning, which occurs all over the planet to help neutralize this difference. Even though you may not see any lightning when you glance outside at this very moment, it is important to realize that lightning is striking somewhere on Earth as you are reading this. This helps charge the ground with a large source of electrons. That's why the Earth's surface is negatively charged, or grounded, and why it's a natural source of electrons for your body.            

Grounding yourself through natural means or buying some Earthing gadgets, you can keep yourself in electrons all year long. It's that simple. Extra electrons may even aid in decreasing the aging process.

So go have fun puzzling your friends and family when you take off your shoes and stand out in the grass and sun for about fifteen minutes a day. Nothing says "me time" like a little quiet time in the back yard. Soak up those electrons and start feeling better!

Source: Mercola