Yesterday’s wildfire smoke intrusion led to the year’s first exceedance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 (particle matter measuring 2.5 microns and smaller). The standard is a 24-hour average, midnight to midnight, of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Yesterday registered 130.6 micrograms equivalent to an AQI of 206/Very Unhealthy. This maximum 24-hour average yesterday occurred at the Broadway monitoring site. To view a running list of PM2.5 exceedance days, concentration/AQI, and causes since 1999 (when PM2.5 monitoring began) click here.
Today, Saturday, July 18, we’re seeing a reprieve from the smoke, with a change in wind direction. View this Rapid Refresh Smoke Model from NOAA, showing smoke clearing some today and even more tomorrow. This is a model and variables change. Since conditions can change quickly this time of year, you can check current conditions here.
