Weather News

Unhealthy air quality forecast for Sacramento region as record heat hits and fires blaze

The sun sinks lower in the sky past the Tower Bridge on the day downtown Sacramento reaches an all-time high temperature of 116 degrees Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, surpassing the record of 114 set on July 17, 1925, according to the National Weather Service.
The sun sinks lower in the sky past the Tower Bridge on the day downtown Sacramento reaches an all-time high temperature of 116 degrees Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, surpassing the record of 114 set on July 17, 1925, according to the National Weather Service. Sacramento Bee file

UPDATE: ‘Very unhealthy’ air quality forecast for Sacramento region as Mosquito Fire burns

Record high temperatures and wildfire smoke are prime ingredients for poor air quality.

In Sacramento, record-setting temperatures are accompanied by AQI forecasts of 105 for ozone Wednesday. It’s not quite high enough for a Spare the Air alert to be issued, but still unhealthy for sensitive groups.

As sunny and hot conditions persist in the Sacramento area, so will ozone formation, according to AirNow.

That National Weather Service predicts wildfire smoke and haze will cover parts of interior Northern California in the coming days.

Sacramentans can expect temperatures to reach 109 on Wednesday, 113 on Thursday and 108 on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

As of noon Thursday, AirNow reports good air quality in the Sacramento area. The Air Quality Index for PM2.5 (combination of gas, oil, fuel or wood), is 35.

Air Quality

This live-updating map shows air quality in the most recent hour based on particulate matter (PM 2.5) and ozone combined. Sensors that collect only one type of data may diverge from nearby readings, depending on the primary air pollutant of the day. Click on a sensor for more information.
Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE | Sources: U.S. EPA AirNow program

Arden Arcade-Del Paso Manor has a PM2.5 report of 38, or good, and ozone report of 105.

Roseville-Rocklin’s ozone forecast is 119 and the Air Quality Index for PM2.5 is 137.

The air quality throughout Placer County is getting worse for some residents as the Mosquito Fire continues to burn in the Tahoe National Forest near Foresthill. Auburn’s ozone forecast is 119 and the Air Quality Index for PM2.5 is 137.

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Unhealthy air quality forecast for Sacramento region as record heat hits and fires blaze."

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