Air Quality Forecast

August 21- August 25: Thursday will continue with the hot and dry conditions we have been experiencing as ridging has settled over the West Coast.  This region of high-pressure has abated much of the inland marine infiltration we had been seeing in the mornings, however, expect some patches of fog on your morning commute.  In addition to limited marine influences, as the ridge progresses, expect warmer temperatures through Saturday with a gradual cooldown as we enter next week.  The increased temperatures also increases the fire risk for interior locations.  To compound the increased fire risk during this period, the NWS is reporting a “non-zero chance for thunderstorms” of the dry variety.  This is primarily due to convection sourced from lower latitudes transported by winds of the ridge situated over the southwest.  Temperatures will range from the mid-50s to the high-80s at the coast and high-50s to the mid-100s 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. Wildfires around the state in conjunction with the current riding pattern could bring local PM2.5 (smoke) AQIs to MODERATE.

Particulate Matter Sensor Network

Regulatory Air Monitoring Stations