Code Orange Air Quality Alert Tomorrow
The Memphis area briefly reached Code Red for poor air quality late this afternoon, though that expires at sunset. However, yet another Code Orange Air Quality Alert (AQA) is in effect for tomorrow for Shelby and surrounding counties. This AQA is due to the forecast ozone quantities in near-surface air. What does this mean? Well, since wind is light and temperatures are very hot, whenever ozone pollutants are created in the atmosphere they don't get pushed out of our area, hence increasing the amount of ozone that hangs around.
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| Air Quality is ranked numerically, but also with a color code. Orange and higher becomes problematic for those with difficulty breathing, and even the general population. |
While this may not impact your day to day living, it is recommended that you limit prolonged outdoor activities, especially for sensitive groups such as active children/adults and people with respiratory disease such as asthma.
Now through Saturday
Fairly quiet conditions will continue now through the first half of this weekend as our overall weather pattern continues to be dominated by a high pressure in the Ohio River Valley. Winds have shifted to become more southerly, which has added that additional mugginess factor into the forecast. Highs will glide into the low to mid 90s for the remainder of the week with dew point temps coasting into the upper 60s. This will allow heat index values to reach near 100 by Saturday.
Temps will fall into the low 70s each night. The good news for the forecast period is we will have sunny skies through the first half of the weekend, without any of those pesky afternoon shower chances. If you have plans now until Saturday, enjoy the sunshine! It may be hot and humid, but it'll be nice to have a few more days with no rain chances for a change. Just make sure you are paying attention to the air quality levels and take precautions as necessary!
Scattered rain chances re-introduced on Sunday
Our minimal rain chances could only last so long as moisture continues to be pushed into the area to begin next week. With southerly winds remaining, plenty of moisture will aid in our dew point temps continuing to rise, which brings in those scattered showers and thunderstorm chances each day.
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| Dew point temps will continue to rise through the beginning of next week as winds remain southerly to southwesterly. Purple is higher moisture/dewpoints in this loop. (Pivotal Weather) |
Additionally, temps will remain above average through the beginning of next week. Highs look to top off in low 90s with overnight temps falling to the mid 70s.
The remainder of next week looks to be characterized by similar temperatures and more moisture, which will bring up those rain chances each day. It has been nice to have a week without scattered afternoon showers/t'storms. However, the general summertime trend will likely return next week.
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| The 6-10 outlook from the Climate Prediction Center has Memphis right on the border between slightly above and above average temperatures. This is valid for next Tuesday through next Saturday. (NOAA/CPC) |
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| The 6-10 outlook from the Climate Prediction Center keeps Memphis in the slightly above average category in terms of precipitation for next week. (NOAA/CPC) |
MWN Meteorologist Intern
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