Watching the Skies

Hey folks, I know I haven’t been up on the emailing as much the last week or so, been just a tad busy during my off hours though. Here is a weather outlook for the next few days…

Friday will be just as hot as Thursday, with high temps just over 100 degrees. Dew points will be about the same as well, sitting around 60 to 65 degrees. This creates heat index values around 105F, just shy of heat advisory criteria. Air pollution watch level Orange is issued for Friday, just like every other day this week. Skies will be clear and winds from the south at 5-10mph. Nothing too special for Friday, other than very bright clear skies and hot.

Saturday will be marginally cooler than Friday, with high temps around 100 and heat index values around 105. Mostly clear skies, air pollution watch level orange, and southwest winds 10 to 15mph. If your spending any amount of time outside Saturday, remember the sunblock and water. No rain is forecast so aside from the heat, Saturday will be an excellent outdoor day.

A cold front is expected to push through the area either Sunday or Monday. Computer models are having a hard time pinpointing the time when it will actually move through, but it will happen. At this time, rain chances can occur around Frisco anytime from maybe Sunday midday through Monday night. There is not alot of confidence in the timing of this however, so this is subject to change. Rain chances are only at 20% at this time and no severe weather is anticipated. Temperatures on Monday will be cooler due to this front, with high temps only expected to reach 90 degrees. Temps bounce back quickly on Tuesday and beyond though as temps are forecast to reach or exceed 95 degrees.

Have a happy 4th everyone!

-- Weather in Frisco, TX when posted --
Temp: 96.8 °F, Humidity: 30%
Wind: n/a at n/a
Sky: n/a

A heat advisory has been issued for the entire DFW Metroplex, including Frisco. Afternoon heat index values are forecast to to reach or exceed 105F. Currently the forecast for the next 5 days calls for afternoon high temps to exceed the century mark and top out around 101F. Additionally, the very high temps and partly cloudy skies will be ideal for producing very poor air quality and a Air Pollution advisory has been issued. Pollution levels are forecast to reach level red, which is unhealthy for all groups including adults.

Essentially not only will it be extremely hot outside, the air is also very hazardous to breathe. So this means if you don’t collapse from heat stroke within 15 minutes, you may collapse from some severe respiratory aliment due to the horrible quality air, fun huh!?

Yesterday, June 23, was the first day of the season to see 100 degree temperatures at DFW Airport. Statement from the NWS is below.

…First 100-degree day of the season at dfw Airport…

At 243 PM CDT…the temperature at dfw Airport reached 100 degrees.
This is the first triple-digit high temperature of the season.

For Dallas/Fort Worth…the average date of the first 100-degree day
is July 1. This date varies considerably as recent years show…

2008   June 15
2007   August 11
2006   April 17

The average number of triple-digit highs for the season is 16…but
this too can vary greatly from year to year…

2008   30
2007    5
2006   43   (7th most on record)
2005   18
2004    1
2003   19
2002    1

The most 100-degree days in any year is 69 in 1980. There have been
two years without any triple-digit readings…1973 and 1906. (The
highest temperature was 99 degrees in both years.)

———————————-

…Heat advisory in effect from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT
Thursday…

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a heat

advisory…which is in effect from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM
CDT Thursday.

Morning low temperatures of 78 degrees combined with afternoon
heat indices above 105 degrees have prompted a heat advisory
for the urban areas of the dfw metroplex. The advisory will last

through sunset Thursday.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A heat advisory means that afternoon heat index values are
expected to meet or exceed 105 degrees while overnight low
temperatures will not fall below the upper 70s. Persons involved

in vigorous outdoor activities are urged to take frequent breaks
and drink plenty of water. Wear loose fitting and light-colored
clothing. Be sure to check on persons with health problems and
the elderly…as they are the most susceptible to heat exhaustion

and heat stroke. Never leave Young children or pets in an
enclosed vehicle…even for a short time…as temperatures can
quickly rise to life threatening levels.

-- Weather in Frisco, TX when posted --
Temp: 91.4 °F, Humidity: 41%
Wind: n/a at n/a
Sky: n/a

Looks like we have an air pollution watch issued for the area due to high levels of Ozone. This is in effect for Wednesday June 24. I figure we may see more of these issued for the next few days at least since air temperatures are forecast to increase, and Ozone polution occurs as a result of high temperatures.

…AIR POLLUTION WATCH LEVEL RED…

AIR POLLUTION WATCH – LEVEL RED – FOR DALLAS-FORT WORTH.

THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (TCEQ) HAS ISSUED A
LEVEL RED AIR POLLUTION WATCH FOR THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA FOR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009.

ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FAVORABLE FOR PRODUCING
HIGH LEVELS OF OZONE AIR POLLUTION IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA
ON WEDNESDAY. OZONE LEVELS COULD REACH THE LEVEL RED “UNHEALTHY”
CATEGORY.

ELEVATED CONCENTRATIONS OF OZONE CAN ACT AS A LUNG IRRITANT.
INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, SUCH AS ASTHMA AND
EMPHYSEMA, AS WELL AS THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG CHILDREN, ARE
PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO OZONE AND SHOULD ATTEMPT TO AVOID
EXPOSURE.  TO AVOID EXPOSURE, MINIMIZE EXERTION OUTDOORS DURING
THE MID-DAY TO EARLY EVENING HOURS OR STAY INDOORS IN AN AIR-
CONDITIONED ROOM DURING THIS TIME.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OZONE, VISIT THE TCEQ OZONE DATA PAGE:
(USE LOWER CASE LETTERS)
WWW.TCEQ.STATE.TX.US/NAV/DATA/OZONE_DATA.HTML

-- Weather in Frisco, TX when posted --
Temp: 96.8 °F, Humidity: 30%
Wind: n/a at n/a
Sky: n/a

Helpful information regarding what Ozone and Particulate Matter is, in relation to air irritants and regional air quality. This is taken from a public information statement by the National Weather Service in Burlington Vermont. Tampa was subject to Particulate Matter 2.5 problems in the summertime quite frequently. So far out here in the DFW Metroplex I have seen numerous Ozone air quality alerts sent out.

…Today is air quality awareness day across the north country…

The National Weather Service office in Burlington Vermont has
designated today as air quality awareness day across in northern and
central Vermont and northern New York. This day was established to
remind persons in the north country of the importance air quality
and air quality forecasts can play in their daily lives.

There are two kinds of pollutants commonly found in our area. The
first is ozone…which is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile
organic compounds are heated by the sun. As a result…ozone levels
are usually highest in the Summer. The second pollutant is known as
particle pollution…which consists of microscopic particles in the
air. Not only is particle pollution a problem in the Summer…it is
also found in the winter due to wood smoke from stoves and furnaces.

Ozone and particle forming pollutants come from a wide variety of
sources…including cars…buses…power plants…and industries.
Natural sources such as wildfires and duststorms contribute to
particle pollution. Trees and other vegetation also emit organic
compounds that contribute to particle and ozone pollution.

Weather plays a big role in The Levels of ozone and particle
pollution. Sunlight and heat promote ozone formation. Light wind and
temperature inversions can keep pollution concentrated near the
ground. The wind can bring in more pollution…sometimes from
hundreds of miles away. Geography can affect pollution levels too.
Mountain ranges can prevent pollution from dispersing…with the
pollutants settling in the surrounding valleys.

Exposure to high levels of ozone and particle pollution is linked
with a number of significant health problems. Children…people with
lung disease…older adults…and people with heart disease tend to
be more vulnerable. When pollution reaches high enough levels…the
air can be unhealthy for everyone…especially those who are active
outdoors.

Use the air quality index and daily air quality forecasts to help
you determine when pollutant levels are high and what steps you
should take to protect yourself. The aqi is a color coded scale that
tells you who will be most affected by current or forecast pollution
levels. Local air quality forecasts and the aqi can be found at
www.Airnow.Gov. Comprehensive air quality predictions from NOAA can
also be found at www.Weather.Gov/aq.

You can help reduce pollution by following these steps…

Carpool or use public transportation.
Delay using lawn mowers and other gasoline powered lawn equipment
until later in the day.
Avoid burning leaves…trash…and other materials.
Keep your car in good maintenance and get regular tune ups.

For more information…visit www.Airquality.NOAA.Gov

An Air Pollution Watch has been issued for the DFW Metroplex for the 2nd day running. Air pollution levels are likely to reach level orange which means unhealthy for sensitive groups such as young children, any with respiratory illnesses and the elderly. This might actually explain why I have had a sinus infection and headache running the last few days :-/

 

AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
123 PM CDT THU MAY 28 2009 

…AIR POLLUTION WATCH LEVEL ORANGE…

AIR POLLUTION WATCH – LEVEL ORANGE – FOR DALLAS-FORT WORTH.

THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (TCEQ) HAS ISSUED A
LEVEL ORANGE AIR POLLUTION WATCH FOR THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA
FOR FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009.

ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FAVORABLE FOR PRODUCING
HIGH LEVELS OF OZONE AIR POLLUTION IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA
ON FRIDAY. OZONE LEVELS COULD REACH THE LEVEL ORANGE “UNHEALTHY
FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS” CATEGORY.

ELEVATED CONCENTRATIONS OF OZONE CAN ACT AS A LUNG IRRITANT.
INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, SUCH AS ASTHMA AND
EMPHYSEMA, AS WELL AS THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG CHILDREN, ARE
PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO OZONE AND SHOULD ATTEMPT TO AVOID
EXPOSURE.  TO AVOID EXPOSURE, MINIMIZE EXERTION OUTDOORS DURING
THE MID-DAY TO EARLY EVENING HOURS OR STAY INDOORS IN AN AIR-
CONDITIONED ROOM DURING THIS TIME.