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Ozone Action Alert Day
It is the first Ozone Action Alert day this summer. The Mid-America Regional Council issues Ozone action days when ozone levels reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. Here is the way MARC describes Ozone and its effects on the metro. This is from their website "Ground-level ozone is created by chemical reactions between certain pollutants, heat and sunlight. Motor vehicle and industrial emissions, as well as vapors from gasoline and chemical solvents are major contributors to the formation of ground-level ozone. However, weather is an important factor, too. Hot, sunny days with calm winds can cause harmful concentrations of ground-level ozone. While atmospheric ozone — the “ozone layer” 10 to 30 miles above the earth — provides protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone is harmful to people and crops. It is responsible for an estimated $500 million in reduced crop production in the United States each year, because it makes plants more susceptible to disease, insects and harsh weather."
With that in mind and a stagnant weather pattern overhead tomorrow and maybe even Friday we will likely have more Ozone Action Days.
For those of you hopeful for rain, there is a glimmer of hope. Friday into Saturday a cold front approaches that could possibly spark a shower.
Here's a look at one of the models. The first graphic is precipitation.
The second map is a forecast for relative humidity and vertical velocities or how much is the air rising. Typically the more rising air, the better the chance of rain.
Otherwise, grab the sunglasses and enjoy an early season hot stretch.
Brett
Posted by at June 22, 2005 8:31 AM
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Do you think we'll be in a pattern of long wet stretches followed by long dry stretches, throughout the summer?
STEVE:
In some respects, what you suggested above could be true. However, we think that precipitation will be pretty close to average values this summer.
Jamie
Posted by: Steve at June 22, 2005 12:24 PM
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Why does stuff appear to be on the NOAA Nexrad radar today, even though there's no rain? What's causing that? You guys always say 'false echos' and they are giving me false hope for rain? What is causing this?
Thanks.
TIM:
On quiet weather days, the National Weather Service puts its radar in what is called "clear air mode". This is a very sensitive mode... that will pick up on things other than rain. When you hear "false echos"... we are referring to "ground clutter"... objects the radar beam is bouncing off of at the surface. This could be buildings, trees, birds, a swarm of insects... etc. You can tell it's not *really* precipitation because it does not MOVE the way precip does when the radar loop is animated.
Hope that answers your question!
Jamie
Posted by: Tim at June 22, 2005 2:12 PM
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