National Weather Service Issues Air Quality Alerts in Arizona and California Due to Rising Smog Levels
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality alerts for parts of Southern California and Arizona, warning residents to limit outdoor activities due to potentially unhealthy levels of ozone pollution, commonly known as smog. The alerts cover the Phoenix metro area and California’s Imperial Valley, where heat and stagnant air are expected to trap pollution close to the ground through Sunday evening. In California, cities like El Centro, Calexico, Alamorio, and Brawley are affected, while in Arizona, the Phoenix metro area and Maricopa County are under an 'Ozone High Pollution Advisory.' The NWS warns that ozone levels are expected to peak in the afternoon and early evening, exacerbated by sunlight and heat. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that warm temperatures, intense sun, and stagnant air contribute to the accumulation of ozone, a pollutant formed when vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions react in sunlight.