Bad Air Quality Friday, DEP Says

An Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Lehigh Valley today, the state Department of Environmental Protection has declared.

Friday’s Forecast:

Another day with high pressure will lead to more heat and humidity across the region. Mostly sunny skies will push temperatures back into the low to mid 80s.

A light south to southeasterly wind will limit vertical mixing, allowing for an already modified air mass to continue seeing pollutant concentrations accumulate.

With a light wind will also mean limited transport. This is why I believe the onshore flow out of the southeast will have minimal impact on our forecast region to prevent cleaner ocean air from moving in enough to improve air quality levels. With concentrations already on track to approaching high moderate to Code Orange levels to our west Thursday afternoon and a light westerly flow aloft for Friday, a similar rise will occur here to allow Ozone concentrations to reach Code Orange levels at some locations. Dew point temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s will allow PM 2.5 levels to remain well inside the moderate range.

Extended Forecast:

High pressure will remain in control over the weekend and into early next week with mostly dry but humid conditions continuing. Temperatures will push the upper 80s to low 90s with only a slight chance for isolated showers from day to day. Mainly sunny skies with occasional scattered clouds will prevail. The best chance for enough cloud cover to limit Ozone concentrations will come from developing isolated showers/thunderstorms later in this portion of the forecast period. Air quality concentrations will remain elevated with a possibility to see several consecutive days of high moderate or Code Orange Ozone and/or PM 2.5 levels. The next best chance for precipitation or a change in air mass may not come until Wednesday/Thursday of next week at the earliest. --- Roble
Here are some additional Air Quality Action Day tips you can follow to help reduce pollution:

The Lehigh Valley/Berks County Air Quality Partnership encourages residents to consider using public transit or other forms of alternative transportation on all Air Quality Action Days.

Days when ozone levels are expected to be high:

* Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
* Choose a cleaner commute—share a ride to work or use public transportation. Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.
* Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.
* Combine errands and reduce trips.
* Limit engine idling.
* Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast.

Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:

* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

This forecast is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and the Air Quality Partnership of the Lehigh Valley - Berks Area.

* For more information on the health effects of PM 2.5 and ozone, visit the EPA Airnow website.
* To see the current forecast and monitoring information for the Lehigh Valley / Berks Area, visit us online at the PA DEP Forecast and Monitoring Site.
* To find out more information about the Air Quality Partnership of the Lehigh Valley - Berks Area, visit the AQP of LVB.