Current Air Quality & Forecast
Air Quality Forecast
September 15 – September 19: Low-pressure over the PNW will make its way down the coast this week promoting steady onshore breezes, the development of a more robust marine layer and a cooling trend. By Thursday/Friday, modeling indicates the low will move off to the east as a ridging trend develops over the Pacific and temperatures return to seasonal levels. A reduction in fire activity has been followed by a decrease in smoke production from the Timber and Plaskett Fires in Big Sur. Onshore winds indicate remaining smoke will be transported east into Fort Hunter Ligget and Lockwood; however, barring any unexpected increase in fire activity, expect GOOD to MODERATE PM2.5 (smoke) AQIs for communities directly adjacent to the fires. Temperatures will range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s at the coast and low-50s to high-80s inland. The cooldown in temperatures inland indicates ozone production will be at normal levels; therefore, ozone AQIs will remain GOOD. 20 mph wind speeds with up to 35 mph gusts in the Salinas Valley could bring PM10 (dust) AQIs to MODERATE.
More Information: Timber Fire and Plaskett Fire Smoke Outlook
MBARD Smoke Sensor Network
Click Here for a description of the Air Quality Index