U.S. Air Quality

Haze over Southeast and Unhealthy Ozone AQI Levels in CA

The hazy conditions that persisted the past few days, continued today on the east coast and southeastern US. The MODIS Terra True Color image (top left image, source:UW MODIS Today) shows the presence of haze mixed with clouds, as Nikisa discussed yesterday, over the southeastern US. MODIS Terra AOD was high over the region where the haze prevailed (top right image, source: IDEA), with ground PM2.5 concentrations (bottom left, source EPA: Airnow) reaching MODERATE AQI levels .

California's ozone concentrations (bottom right, source EPA: Airnow) reached High MODERATE to UNHEALTHY AQI levels over the San Joaquin River Valley, with the highest concentrations recorded in Fresno (AQI level: 159).