Air Quality Forecast

July 3 – July 7: As we approach the 4th of July, low-pressure moving in from the Pacific Ocean will impact Northern California beginning Thursday afternoon.  This system will generate seasonably cool temperatures and breezy conditions, especially for higher elevations and inland valleys.  Gusts in the Salinas Valley could reach as high as 40 mph in the afternoons.  These conditions will last through the weekend as the low moves through the region. Following this, a cut-off low developing over the Pacific Ocean will reach the central coast as next week begins.  GFS modeling suggests by mid-week, the system will change course and move off towards the PNW, however, given the unpredictability of cut-off lows, its future behavior remains unknown.  The big story here is the Madre Fire (currently 35,000 acres) burning in SLO.  As of Thursday, smoke generated from this fire is not expected to impact the Central Coast, however, as I mentioned, the unpredictability of cut-off lows is the major variable here. Temperatures will range from the high-40s to the mid-70s at the coast and mid-50s to the low-90s inland. Ozone levels should remain below State standards, therefore ozone AQIs will remain GOOD.  Breezy conditions in the Salinas Valley could elevate PM10 (dust) AQIs to MODERATE. Low-pressure should help ventilate any accumulated PM2.5 (smoke), however wildfires around the state and in Canada could bring local AQIs to MODERATE.

Particulate Matter Sensor Network

Regulatory Air Monitoring Stations