Over the weekend, all pollutants were in the Moderate AQI range on both Saturday and Sunday. There were dust storms that moved though the Valley each day, which caused PM10 and PM2.5 to reach the Moderate category. Looking ahead, we will continue to be under an active monsoon weather pattern. As a result, there will continue to be chances for thunderstorms in the area each day. We are also looking at afternoon temperatures continuing to hover around the 110°F range each day.

As for the air quality, dust (PM10) and ozone will be the pollutants to watch. We suspect ozone levels will mostly stay in the upper Moderate range. However, with lighter winds tomorrow, and a later onset of thunderstorms in the area, we are forecasting ozone levels to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI category. Therefore, we are issuing an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Tuesday. More cloud cover and earlier storms the rest of the week will hopefully be enough to keep ozone in the Moderate category.

Looking at particulates, there will be chances for some dust each afternoon/evening with thunderstorms around the region. We are hoping to get some more rain in the area, which will help stabilize the soils in the area. As a result, we are forecasting lower particulate levels later in the week, even though there will still be stances for strong winds from thunderstorm outflows.

- R. Nicoll
ADEQ Meteorologist