Air quality becoming biggest weather issue

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The hot and mainly dry weather is beginning to have an impact on local ozone levels.

The Department of Environmental Quality has declared Ozone Action Days for the rest of Sunday and Monday. Ozone levels are forecast to reach code “orange” unhealthy for sensitive groups. That means people affected by breathing sensitivities should limit the time they spend outdoors. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the weather pattern will be changing soon to help.

We stay mainly dry with highs at or near 90° for all of next week. Memorial Day will be mainly dry with just a spotty afternoon shower here or there. Most will stay dry. Dress comfortably for extended outdoor plans, and don’t forget the sunscreen. Humidity levels will remain low which is our only silver lining.

The abbreviated work week will look a lot like Memorial Day Monday. Clouds will increase as an area of low pressure moves across the Gulf of Mexico during the middle of the week. This might help shave off a few degrees in terms of afternoon heat. The low will track to our east by the end of the week. This will cause drier weather with more sunshine and hotter weather returning.

It’s back to a typical summer-time weather pattern as we move into the following week. Expect hot and humid conditions with pop-up isolated afternoon t-showers.

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