July 18, 2008
Related Images and Information
Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast
(see AQI color scale at bottom of page)
| Discussion |
Friday 7/18/08
Elevated ozone background levels should continue in North Central
and East Texas today. Ozone levels could reach "Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups" or possibly higher and on the north and northwest
side of the Houston area this afternoon and into the early evening.
Ozone could also reach "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" on the
north side of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and "Moderate" or possibly
higher levels in parts of Northeast Texas and on the north and
northwest side of the Beaumont-Port Arthur area this afternoon and
into the early evening. Winds may be light enough for ozone to
reach "Moderate" levels in the El Paso area. Saharan dust is
lingering in parts of South, Central, and West Texas this morning,
but should diminish in South and Central Texas this afternoon and
evening. Elsewhere in the state, moderate winds and/or lower
background levels should help to keep air quality in the "Good"
range. Satellite imagery this morning shows continental haze in the
northwestern and north central Gulf of Mexico that should move
northwest into Southeast Texas today and tomorrow with elevated
ozone and fine particulate background levels. Light amounts of
Saharan dust continue along in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.
More intense Saharan dust is covering the southeastern Gulf of
Mexico, southern Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba and could possibly
reach the Texas coast late Sunday or Monday.
Saturday 7/19/08
Elevated ozone background levels may continue in North Central and
East Texas but slightly higher afternoon winds may help to reduce
peak ozone levels. Winds may still be light enough for ozone to
reach "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" on the north side of the
Houston metro area and "Moderate" or possibly higher levels on the
north side of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the afternoon and early
evening. Ozone could reach "Moderate" levels elsewhere over much of
East Texas and in the El Paso area. Any lingering Saharan dust in
West Texas should diminish in the afternoon and evening. Elsewhere
in the state, moderate winds and/or lower background levels should
help to keep air quality in the "Good" range.
Sunday 7/20/08
Decreasing winds may allow ozone to reach "Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups" on the northeast and north side of the Houston area and on
the north side of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the afternoon and
early evening. Ozone could also reach "Moderate" levels in parts of
Northeast Texas, in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area, and in the El
Paso area. The next Saharan dust cloud may reach the South Texas
coast with "Moderate" fine particulate levels in the afternoon or
evening, although shower activity may help to reduce dust levels.
Elsewhere in the state, moderate winds and/or lower background
levels should help to keep air quality in the "Good" range.
Monday 7/21/08
Continued light winds should allow ozone to reach "Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups" or possibly higher on the east, northeast, and
north side of the Houston area and "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups"
on the north side of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the afternoon
and early evening. Ozone could also reach "Moderate" or possibly
higher levels in parts of Northeast Texas, in the Beaumont-Port
Arthur area, and in the El Paso area. Saharan dust with "Moderate"
fine particulate levels should move into much of South and Central
Texas. Elsewhere in the state, moderate winds and/or lower
background levels should help to keep air quality in the "Good"
range. |
This web page is updated daily on normal TCEQ work days and may
also be updated on weekends or holidays when air pollution levels
are high.
