the Clean Air blog

Air Quality Update: November 9, 2007

Your Air for November 9-10

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Levels in California

Friday, November 9 � Saturday, November 10: In the West, an upper-level trough of low pressure will move into the Pacific Northwest, leading to improved Air Quality levels across the Northwest. High pressure over the Southwest will limit vertical mixing, and generally light winds at the surface will limit pollutant dispersion. These conditions will result in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for much of southern California and several cities in the Pacific Northwest, Utah, and Arizona, with parts of California reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels on Friday.

Further east, high pressure over the southeast U.S. will lead to light winds and reduced mixing over the region, allowing particles to build up near the surface and resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for isolated cities in Oklahoma and Missouri. In addition, southerly winds ahead of a cold front will transport moisture and pollutants into the Midwest and the Southeast, leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in parts of Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Missouri on Friday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: November 8, 2007

Your Air for November 8-9

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Levels in California, Arizona

Thursday, November 8 � Friday, November 9: In the West, an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will limit vertical mixing, and generally light winds at the surface will limit pollutant dispersion. These conditions will result in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for much of California and several cities in the Pacific Northwest, Utah, and Arizona, with parts of California, as well as the Phoenix area, reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels on both Thursday and Friday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: November 7, 2007

Your Air for November 7-8

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality Levels in Central California

Wednesday, November 7 � Thursday, November 8: In the West, an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will limit vertical mixing, and generally light winds at the surface will limit pollutant dispersion. These conditions will result in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for much of California and several cities in the Pacific Northwest, Utah, and Arizona, with the Phoenix area reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels. Furthermore, cool overnight temperatures in California's Central Valley will result in a temperature inversion, trapping pollutants near the surface and leading to Code Red: UNHEALTHY particle levels for a few sites there on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Further east, high pressure over the eastern U.S. will lead to light winds and reduced mixing over the region, allowing particles to build up near the surface and resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for isolated cities in Missouri and Ohio. In addition, sunny skies will enhance ozone formation in Texas, leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for some cities on Thursday. Good Air Quality levels are expected across the rest of the eastern U.S.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: November 6, 2007

Your Air for November 6-7

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality Levels in Central California

Tuesday, November 6 � Wednesday, November 7: In the West, an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will limit vertical mixing, and generally light winds at the surface will limit pollutant dispersion. These conditions will result in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for much of California and several cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Furthermore, cool overnight temperatures in California's Central Valley will result in a temperature inversion, trapping pollutants near the surface and leading to Code Red: UNHEALTHY particle levels for several sites there on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Further east, high pressure over the southern Plains will lead to light winds and reduced mixing over the region, enhancing particle formation and resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for the Springfield, Missouri area on Wednesday. In the Miami area, sunny skies will enhance ozone formation, resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels. Good Air Quality levels are expected across the rest of the eastern U.S. on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: November 5, 2007

Your Air for November 5-6

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality Levels in Central California

Monday, November 5 � Tuesday, November 6: In the West, an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will limit vertical mixing, and generally light winds at the surface will limit pollutant dispersion. These conditions will result in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for much of California. Furthermore, cool overnight temperatures in California's Central Valley will result in a temperature inversion, trapping pollutants near the surface and leading to Code Red: UNHEALTHY particle levels for several sites there on both Monday and Tuesday.

In the eastern U.S., high pressure over the Southern states will lead to light winds and reduced mixing over the region, resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for several major cities in the South. Further north, southerly winds ahead of a cold front will transport moisture and pollutants to the Midwest and the Northeast, enhancing particle production and leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in many major cities in New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Midwest. Northwesterly winds behind the cold front will disperse pollutants and bring cool, clean air to much of the region on Tuesday, improving Air Quality levels to Good.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Green Cars

Jonathan Goodwin is using off-the-shelf technology to turn Hummers from lumbering gas-guzzlers into swift and thrifty eco-cars.

He uses a combination of biodiesel fuel, hybrid-electric motors and hydrogen injection to get performance and economy out of his tricked out rides. And his customers include Governor Swarzenneger and Neil Young.

The feature article in Fast Company is a great read and ultimate asks the question... if this mechanic in Kansas can do this with off-the-shelf technology and a small team of mechanics, why can't the Detroit car makers with their billions in capital and thousands of employees?
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Air Quality Update: November 4, 2007

Your Air for November 4-5

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality Levels in Central California

Sunday, November 4 � Monday, November 5: In the West, an upper-level ridge of high pressure building over the West Coast will limit vertical mixing, and generally light winds at the surface will limit pollutant dispersion. These conditions will result in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for much of California, with some sites in San Diego County reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels. Furthermore, cool overnight temperatures in California's Central Valley will result in a temperature inversion, trapping pollutants near the surface and leading to Code Red: UNHEALTHY particle levels for several sites there on both Sunday and Monday.

High pressure over the Southern states will lead to light winds and reduced mixing over the region, resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels for some major cities in the South. Further north, the same high pressure system will produce southwesterly winds throughout much of the Midwest and East. These winds will transport moisture and pollutants to the region, enhancing particle production and leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels across parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. In Texas, warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies will enhance ozone formation, and light winds on Sunday will limit pollutant dispersion. As a result, widespread Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels are expected, with Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels forecasted for Houston on Sunday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Micheal Bloomberg: Pollution Pricing Plan

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a potential independent presidential candidate, proposed a national "pollution pricing" plan Friday that envisions taxing companies directly for the greenhouse gases they release.

"If you really want to reduce carbon emissions, tax carbon at the source, which would mean at the mine head, at the oil well, whatever," Bloomberg said.

More...

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Air Quality Update: November 3, 2007

Your Air for November 3-4

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Levels in Houston and California

Saturday, November 3 � Sunday, November 4: In the West, high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in some major cities, with a few cities in central and southern California reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels.

Further East, an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the Plains will limit mixing and trap pollutants near the ground. In addition, surface high pressure over the southern Plains will lead to light winds, which will limit pollutant dispersion, and sunny skies, which will enhance ozone formation. These conditions will lead to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in parts of the south with the Houston area reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels on Sunday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: November 2, 2007

Your Air for November 2-3

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Levels in California

Friday, November 2 � Saturday, November 3: In the West, high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in some major cities, with some cities in central and southern California reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels.

In the eastern U.S., southerly winds ahead of a cold front will bring moisture and pollutants into the region, enhancing particle production in the atmosphere. These conditions will lead to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in parts of the Midwest. Further south, sunny skies will enhance ozone formation, leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in Texas.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: November 1, 2007

Your Air for November 1-2

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Levels in Portland

Thursday, November 1 � Friday, November 2: In the West, high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in some major cities, with Portland reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels on Thursday. In southern California, moderate winds, combined with dust and ashes from recently burned areas will lead to Code Yellow: MODERATE particle pollution levels in many areas.

In the eastern U.S., southerly winds ahead of a cold front will bring moisture and pollutants into the region, enhancing particle production in the atmosphere. Additional moisture from rain showers will further enhance particle production, leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in portions of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic region, and New England. Further south, surface high pressure over the southern Plains will lead to light winds, limiting dispersion and allowing pollutants to build up near the surface. These conditions will cause Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in Oklahoma and Texas.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: October 31, 2007

Your Air for October 31-November 1

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Levels in Southern California, Portland, and Houston

Wednesday, October 31 � Thursday, November 1: In southern California, moderate winds, combined with dust and ashes from recently burned areas and smoke from continuing wildfires, will lead to Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups particle pollution levels in many areas. For the rest of the western U.S., high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain west, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in some major cities, with Portland reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels on both Wednesday and Thursday.

In the eastern U.S., an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic states and New England will limit vertical mixing. Furthermore, southerly winds ahead of a cold front will transport moisture and pollutants into the East, enhancing particle production. As a result, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE for portions of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, and New England. Cooler, cleaner air behind the cold front will improve Air Quality levels to Good for much of the Midwest on Thursday. Further south, mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures will enhance ozone formation in Texas, causing Air Quality levels to be Code Yellow: MODERATE throughout much of the state, with sites in the Houston area expected to reach Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups ozone levels on Wednesday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: October 30, 2007

Your Air for October 30-31

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Particle Pollution Levels in Southern California

Tuesday, October 30 � Wednesday, October 31: In southern California, moderate winds, combined with dust and ashes from recently burned areas and smoke from continuing wildfires, will lead to Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups particle pollution levels in many areas, with some locales in the L.A. Basin experiencing Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality levels.

For the rest of the western U.S., high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain west, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in some major cities, with Portland reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the eastern U.S., a broad area of high pressure extending from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic States will lead to light winds in the Ohio River Valley and parts of the Upper Midwest, causing pollutants to build up and leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: October 29, 2007

Your Air for October 29-30

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Particle Pollution Levels in Southern California Persist

Monday, October 29 � Tuesday, October 30: In southern California, moderate winds, combined with dusts and ashes from recently burned areas, and smoke from continuing wildfires will lead to Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups particle pollution levels in many areas, with some locales in the L.A. Basin experiencing Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality levels.

For the rest of the western U.S., high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain west, and central California, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in some areas. On Tuesday, air quality in Washington State will gradually improve as a cold front passes through the region.

In the eastern U.S., a broad area of high pressure extending from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic States will lead to light winds in part of the Ohio River Valley and Upper Midwest, causing pollutants to build up and leading to isolated Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: October 28, 2007

Your Air for October 28-29

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Particle Pollution Levels in Southern California Persist

Sunday, October 28 � Monday, October 29: In southern California, smoke from continuing wildfires will lead to widespread Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups particle pollution levels throughout the region, with some areas in the L.A. Basin experiencing Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality levels.

For the rest of the western U.S., high pressure will dominate the weather across the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain west, and central California, leading to generally light winds and reduced mixing. Therefore, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in many areas, with localized Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels in western Washington State.

In the eastern U.S., a broad area of high pressure extending from the Great Lakes region to the Ohio River Valley will lead to light winds in part of the Midwest, causing pollutants to build up and leading to isolated Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels. Elsewhere in the East, Air Quality levels will be generally Good.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: October 27, 2007

Your Air for October 27-28

Code Red: UNHEALTHY Particle Pollution Levels in Southern California

Saturday, October 27 � Sunday, October 28: In southern California, multiple wildfires will lead to widespread Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups particle pollution levels throughout the region, with some sites in the L.A. Basin reaching Code Red: UNHEALTHY Air Quality levels. An upper-level ridge of high pressure building over the Southwest will limit vertical mixing, trapping pollutants near the ground. As a result, Air Quality levels will be Code Yellow: MODERATE in major cities in the Four Corners states as well as California's Central Valley. A weak ridge of high pressure over the Pacific Northwest will limit mixing, allowing pollutants to build up. As a result, some cities in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are expected to experience Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels, with isolated sites in western Washington reaching Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Air Quality levels for particles on Saturday.

In the eastern U.S., showers and humid conditions in the Midwest and the Northeast will enhance particle formation, resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in eastern Wisconsin, Detroit, and parts of Connecticut. Further south, sunny skies and seasonably warm temperatures in Houston will aid ozone formation, causing Air Quality levels there to reach Code Yellow: MODERATE on Saturday.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....

Air Quality Update: October 26, 2007

Your Air for October 26-27

Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution Levels in Southern California

Friday, October 26 - Saturday, October 27: In southern California, multiple wildfires will lead to widespread Code Orange: UNHEALTHY for Sensitive Groups particle pollution levels throughout the region. Some smoke from these fires will be transported north into the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys Friday and Saturday, causing Air Quality levels to be Code Yellow: MODERATE. A weak upper-level ridge of high pressure building over the Pacific Northwest will limit vertical mixing, trapping pollutants near the surface and resulting in Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in parts of western Washington and Oregon. High pressure over the Four Corners will lead to light winds, limiting pollutant dispersion and leading to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in Denver and the Salt Lake City area. Gusty winds and blowing dust will lead to Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels in the Phoenix area.

In the eastern U.S., scattered showers and high humidity associated with a low pressure system in the Midwest will enhance particle production. As a result, Code Yellow: MODERATE Air Quality levels are expected at several sites in Ohio and parts of Wisconsin.

More information about today's air quality in your city, state or region....