Press Releases
07/19/2019
Weekend Heatwave Expected to Bring Unhealthy Air
Residents Cautioned to Limit Strenuous Outdoor Activity as Temperatures Approach 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is forecasting unhealthy levels of ozone across Connecticut Friday, July 19, through Sunday, July 21, 2019.Connecticut is bracing for an extreme and potentially dangerous heat wave beginning Friday and continuing through this upcoming weekend. High temperatures are expected to reach around 90 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, and 95-100 degrees with heat indices reaching 100-110 degrees Saturday and Sunday. Strong sunshine and high temperatures support high levels of tropospheric ozone, also known as smog.
"Along with high temperatures, unfortunately, we’re also expecting to see high levels of air pollution and it’s important to take appropriate precautions when ozone levels are elevated, especially during a major heat wave," said Commissioner Katie Dykes. "Residents planning to spend time outdoors this weekend working or exercising should to be mindful of the effects of poor air quality and consider limiting strenuous outdoor activity."
Health Effects of Air Pollution
When air quality is forecast to be USG to UNHEALTHY, there is an increased likelihood individuals in sensitive groups such as the elderly, children, and people with asthma or other lung disease, and cardiovascular disease are most at risk for experiencing respiratory symptoms, and difficulty breathing. In addition, because most of the state could reach UNHEALTHY levels of Ozone this weekend, even active and healthy children and adults should also consider limiting outdoor exertion when air quality is most impaired.
Weather Summary
A large dome of high pressure located across the southeast, will provide plenty of sunshine, a steady west-southwest wind and increasing heat and humidity with highs reaching around or just over 90 on Friday to near record high temperatures ranging well up in the 90s to 100° with heat indices exceeding 100-110° for Saturday and Sunday. This major heat wave will envelop all of the eastern two thirds of the nation and continue through the weekend, making this a potentially dangerous heat wave for Connecticut.
This very hot weather pattern will enable transported and homegrown emissions to form ozone, contributing to Connecticut’s poor air quality across the central and southern parts of the state on Friday, to all of Connecticut on Saturday and Sunday, during the height of the heat wave. Connecticut has exceeded the national ambient air quality standard for ozone nine times this year, this event will bring the total to 12 days when DEEP has measured air quality over the health-based standard. There will be a cold front that is forecasted to push off the east coast late Sunday night into early Monday. Once the cold front passes south and east of the region, ozone levels will come down by Monday.
What You Can Do to Help
While DEEP implements many clean energy programs to increase our portfolio of renewable power, to reduce air pollution in Connecticut and work cooperatively with nearby states to reduce dirty air generated outside of the state and transported into Connecticut. We all have the ability to reduce our contribution to local air pollution. DEEP recommends simple, common sense steps to reduce your impact:
- Be Aware of Your Air -Understand the Air Quality Index and sign up to receive alerts so you will know when air quality is predicted to be unhealthy;
- When you know there will be an unhealthy air day-make small changes to your routine:
- Refuel your vehicle after dusk and stop refueling when the nozzle clicks off,
- Avoid idling your vehicle unnecessarily,
- Drive Less – consider carpooling, vanpooling, using public transit or even telecommuting,
- Delay mowing your lawn or using other lawn and garden equipment,
- Limit your outdoor activity in the heat of the day, and
- Refrain from recreational wood burning
- Reduce or Shift Energy Demand – purchase energy efficient products like ENERGY STAR® LED lights and ENERGY STAR® air conditioning, use programmable thermostats set to 78° or higher when no one is home, and use energy intensive appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers later in the day;
- Remember that knowledge is power! Ask your school if they participate in the School Flag Program, EPA’s Air Quality awareness tool that uses colored flags based on the AQI to notify teachers, students, administrators and the local community of air quality conditions, and
- Drive Clean – consider purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. Learn more by visiting: www.driveelectricus.com;
Stay connected and access the daily AQI forecast and real-time air quality data
- Follow us on Twitter
- Sign up to get Air-Quality alerts through Enviroflash
- Visit DEEP’s AQI webpage or call 800-249-1234
- Go to EPA’s AIRNow web page
- Download EPA’s AIRnow app for your phone
Ozone Monitoring Season
DEEP monitors, tracks and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut for ozone from May 1 through September 30 each year and for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) each day of the year. On April 30, 2019, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here.
DEEP encourages daycare providers, summer camps and elder/senior centers to subscribe to the Air Quality Index (AQI). Subscribing to the AQI is fast and easy and will provide you with important information each day about Connecticut’s air quality through the spring and summer. The AQI link provides facts and information regarding ground-level ozone and what you can do to help reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook