Air Quality Forecast

February 20 – February 24: Watch out for patches of dense fog at the coast Thursday morning which will burn off as the morning progresses.  As Wednesday’s low-pressure system, which brought rain, moves off over the Basin and Range, expect clear skies and a warmup as we approach the weekend and into early next week.  Beyond that, models suggest increased precipitation chances by the end of next week due to another incoming low-pressure system from the north.  We’ll see how that pans out as model confidence increases.  Temperatures at the coast will range from the mid-40s to mid-60s and high-30’s to the mid-70’s inland.  As conditions settle down and ventilation decreases, PM2.5 (smoke) AQIs could reach MODERATE or UNHEATHLY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in our Smoke Sensitive Areas (SLV and Carmel Valley). However, warmer upcoming temperatures should limit woodstove usage, therefore we expect excursions into elevated AQI readings will be limited to brief periods overnight.  Moderate to seasonably warm temperatures will keep afternoon ozone levels below State standards and thus air quality for ozone will be GOOD. Moist soils should keep AQIs for PM10 (dust) in the GOOD range as well.

Particulate Matter Sensor Network

Regulatory Air Monitoring Stations