State declares an Ozone Action Day for Dallas-Fort Worth, with more unhealthy air possible Thursday

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has declared an Ozone Action Day for the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Wednesday, and its forecast shows the region could see similar readings on Thursday.

In a forecast updated at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday, the agency said light winds, warm temperatures, plenty of afternoon sunshine and lingering background pollution could lift ozone into the lower to middle part of the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range Wednesday, with the central and western parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area singled out.

The next few days

• Thursday: ozone could reach the lower end of the same orange range in parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, TCEQ said.
• Friday: the forecast drops to the upper end of the "Moderate" range.
• Saturday: ozone is expected to settle into the middle of the "Moderate" range.

Fine-particle pollution is a smaller factor. TCEQ expects very light smoke from wildfires in California and Idaho to stay mostly high in the atmosphere over North Texas, with PM2.5 levels in the low "Moderate" range.

What the colors mean

On the federal Air Quality Index used by AirNow, orange covers readings of 101 to 150. At that level, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects, while the general public is less likely to be affected. Yellow, or "Moderate," means air quality is acceptable but may pose a risk for people who are unusually sensitive to pollution.

Red, starting at 151, is when some people in the general population may begin to feel effects.

TCEQ notes that its forecast is a guide and recommends that people decide how much outdoor activity to do based on the actual conditions where they are. Current readings from monitors around the region are posted on AirNow and on TCEQ's air quality pages, and the agency updates its forecast each workday.

Sources

State of Texas

airnow.gov