Friday is the 1st Air Action Day of 2018

Here comes the hot and steamy weather for our Memorial Day weekend! An Air Action Day Advisory has been issued for Friday, May 25th, 2018. It is our first Action Day of the year.

Here is the advisory from AirNow:

AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY MAY 25TH… THE ACTION DAY ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING MICHIGAN COUNTIES: IN WEST MICHIGAN: ALLEGAN... BERRIEN… CASS… KENT... MUSKEGON... OTTAWA… AND VAN BUREN COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN... LENAWEE… MACOMB... MONROE... OAKLAND... ST. CLAIR... WASHTENAW... AND WAYNE COUNTIES Ozone: 8-hour Ozone concentrations are expected to mostly Moderate Thursday with isolated USG possible. More widespread USG (Unhealthy Sensitive Group) levels are possible Friday. High pressure positioned southeast of the state will produce plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures the next two days. Temperatures warm both at the surface and upper levels and that, coupled with plenty of sunshine and a southwest wind, will produce an environment conducive for ozone development. Levels begin increasing Thursday, but most locations should remain Moderate. As levels build into Friday, more widespread USG is anticipated both along the west Michigan lakeshore mainly from Muskegon south, and in southeast Michigan. With the threat for higher ozone concentrations, we have decided to issue an Action Day for ozone Friday in those locations.

Unhealthy Sensitive Groups are those people with lung disease, older adults and children who are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone. Persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.

Action days are usually called when the air quality index gets into the unhealthy ranges. Here is the Air Quality Forecast for Grand Rapids, MI.

What can you do to help?

Suggestions from the AirNow website include:

• Choose a cleaner commute — car pool, use public transportation, bike or walk when possible.
• Combine errands to reduce "cold starts" of your car and avoid extended idling.
• Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible.
• Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
• Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.