Why Has Air Quality Been Deteriorating?

A downside to prolonged high pressure this time of year is that it often affects air quality.

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By Brett Shepard
Bio | Email | Follow: @ktvaweather

Story Created: Oct 24, 2012 at 2:35 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2012 at 2:35 PM AKDT

A downside to prolonged high pressure this time of year is that it often affects air quality.  The air doesn’t mix as much with high pressure.  We often refer to high pressure as a “dome” of high pressure.  It basically acts like a lid on a pot and traps the air in place.   With more pollutants in the air this time of year from things like wood burning stoves and people warming up their cars the air can get dirtier faster when high pressure is in place.  The air quality in Anchorage has diminished the past few days into the moderate category.  It has diminished even more into the interior reaches of the state.  An AIR QUALITY ADVISORY was issued today for North Pole, Eielson, Fairbanks, and surrounding areas as air quality is reaching into unhealthy levels.  As weather models are showing that high pressure is likely to persist into next week air quality levels will continue to diminish for much of the state.  One way you can help during this current weather pattern is by plugging in your car at night if you park outside.  This will help limit the amount of time one needs to warm up their car in the morning helping to cut down on pollutants in the air.   

 

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