NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, San Diego and Phoenix
Product Service Change Notification (SCN) Page:

Effective on or about Tuesday July 12, 2022,  The NWS Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) in Los Angeles/Oxnard, San Diego and Phoenix will have the ability to issue Air Quality Alerts on behalf of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), the Antelope Valley AQMD, the Mojave Desert AQMD, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the Imperial County APCD. The Air Quality Alerts will be issued for high levels of ozone and elevated levels of fine particulate matter; including wildfire smoke, wind blown dust, or ash. 

The NWS WFOs serving southern California will use the following product identifiers:
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard: AQALOX
NWS San Diego: AQASGX
NWS Phoenix: AQAPSR  

The following are examples of Air Quality Alerts that would be issued for for ozone and fine particulate matter.

For Ozone:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR ELEVATED OZONE AIR POLLUTION...

The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to high levels of ozone (smog). The air quality alert is in effect until tomorrow.

Elevated levels of ozone – the predominant summertime pollutant – are likely to result in poor air quality in the afternoon and early-evening hours. Ozone air pollution can cause respiratory health problems, including trouble breathing, asthma attacks, and lung damage. Children, older adults, and people with asthma or COPD may be more sensitive to the health effects of ozone.

Air quality can change depending on time of day and weather conditions. Increased emissions of chemicals and faster ozone formation rates due to heat, along with low winds and stagnant weather can cause unusually high and persistent levels of ozone pollution.

To help minimize ozone air pollution levels:
. 
. Limit the use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment until evening hours
. Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature
. Try to delay trips to the gas station and the use of household chemicals until the evening

Check air quality levels and take appropriate action as needed.  When air quality index (AQI) levels are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange), people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, children, and older adults should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. When air quality reaches Unhealthy (red) AQI levels, everyone may experience adverse health effects and sensitive groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors. At Very Unhealthy (purple) AQI levels, sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity and everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  

To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. Additional details for this air quality alert are available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory.

To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District website at www.sdapcd.org/content/sdapcd/air-quality.html. Additional details for this air quality alert are available at www.sdapcd.org/content/sdapcd/air-quality/smoke-advisory.html

$$

Fine Particulate Matter:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO ELEVATED LEVELS OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER...

The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to high levels of fine particulate matter. The air quality alert is in effect until tomorrow.

Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate heart and lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. People with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children are particularly susceptible.

Check air quality levels and take appropriate action as needed.  When air quality index (AQI) levels are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange), people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, children, and older adults should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. When air quality reaches Unhealthy (red) AQI levels, everyone may experience adverse health effects and sensitive groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors. At Very Unhealthy (purple) AQI levels, sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity and everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  

To help keep indoor air clean during periods of poor air quality, close all windows and doors and run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air. Avoid burning wood in your fireplace or firepit and minimize sources of indoor air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying, and grilling. Limit the use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment.
 
To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. Additional details for this air quality alert are available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory.

To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District website at www.sdapcd.org/content/sdapcd/air-quality.html. Additional details for this air quality alert are available at www.sdapcd.org/content/sdapcd/air-quality/smoke-advisory.html

$$

Fine Wind Blow Dust:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO ELEVATED PARTICULATE MATTER LEVELS FROM WINDBLOWN DUST...

The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to increased particulate matter from blowing dust. The air quality alert is in effect until tomorrow.

In areas directly impacted by high levels of windblown dust, limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and avoiding vigorous physical activity. Run your air conditioner or an air purifier. If temperatures allow, avoid using whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air.

Exposure to high particle pollution levels can cause serious health problems, including asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of respiratory infections. People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor's advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart disease should avoid prolonged exposure and strenuous activities when particle pollution levels are high.

To help minimize outdoor particulate levels: 
. Carpool, telecommute, reduce trips, or take public transportation 
. Slow down if driving on dirt roads
. Stabilize loose soils

Levels of particulate matter can vary hour by hour and by location depending on wind conditions 

To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. Additional details for this air quality alert are available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory.

To view current and forecast air quality within Imperial County visit the Imperial County Air Quality website at http://www.imperialvalleyair.org/ or follow ICAPCD on Twitter, facebook or Instagram (@county_air).

$$