Today's Texas Air Quality Forecast

Light winds, warm temperatures, sufficient afternoon sunshine, and/or slightly elevated incoming background levels could be enough for ozone to reach the upper end of the "Good" range in a majority of the Houston area.

A weak cold front is draped across South Texas as light, southerly winds advect slightly elevated relative humidity south of the boundary. Light winds could elevate urban fine particulate matter in the more populated areas in the eastern two thirds of the state, but drier air north of the boundary is expected to limit the effects. Meanwhile, scattered burning activity in East and Southeast Texas could contribute fine particulate matter to the immediate surrounding areas but the effects are not expected to be significant or widespread. Overall, the daily PM2.5 AQI may reach the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Brownsville-McAllen, Corpus Christi, Houston, Laredo, and Tyler-Longview areas and the upper end of the "Good" range for the majority of the Austin, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Bryan-College Station, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Victoria, and Waco-Killeen areas.

Very light winds and a stable atmosphere in far West Texas could promote build-up of urban fine particulate matter with the daily PM2.5/PM10 AQIs reaching the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the El Paso area.

Light winds, warm temperatures, sufficient afternoon sunshine, and/or slightly elevated incoming background levels could be enough for ozone to reach the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Houston area.

Moisture advection will increase modestly ahead of a stationary front forecast to extend from North Central Texas down through the Southeast region, although it will gradually diffuse as we get into the afternoon and evening hours. Depending on the burnings in East and Southeast Texas, light density smoke and aerosols could continue affecting portions of these regions although the effects are not likely to be widespread. Additionally, urban fine particulate matter formation will likely persist with light to moderate winds expected to continue in the eastern half of the state. Overall, the daily PM2.5 AQI may reach the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Austin, Brownsville-McAllen, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, San Antonio, Tyler-Longview, and Waco-Killeen areas and the upper end of the "Good" range for the majority of the Beaumont-Port Arthur, Bryan-College Station, and Victoria areas.

Light, variable winds could continue facilitating urban fine particulate formation in far West Texas, and while slightly increased vertical mixing could promote pollutant dispersion the daily PM2.5/PM10 AQIs could remain in the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the El Paso area.

Insufficient afternoon sunshine and/or lower incoming background levels are forecast to be enough to keep ozone levels in the "Good" range for the majority of the state.

Low pressure will move into North Central Texas Friday morning as a cold front extends westward into the South Plains and northern Permian Basin. Moisture advection due to southerly winds will slightly elevate relative humidity in the eastern two thirds of the state, possibly assisting in increasing urban fine particulate matter in the more populated areas as light to moderate winds prevail. Depending on burning activity across Central, East, and Southeast Texas, light density smoke and aerosols could contribute fine particulate matter to the immediate surrounding areas as well as those downwind. However, as a developing upper low over the Southwest CONUS approaches Texas, vertical mixing and precipitation will gradually spread from west to east across the state and could promote pollutant dispersion during the evening hours. Overall, the daily PM2.5 AQI may reach the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Austin, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Brownsville-McAllen, Bryan-College Station, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, San Antonio, Tyler-Longview, Victoria, and Waco-Killeen areas.

Light morning winds could keep urban fine particulate concentrations elevated at times earlier in the day but increasing winds, vertical mixing, and chances for precipitation in far West Texas are forecast to provide sufficient dispersion. The daily PM2.5/PM10 AQIs are expected to net out in the upper end of the "Good" range in a majority of the El Paso area.

Insufficient afternoon sunshine and/or lower incoming background levels are forecast to be enough to keep ozone levels in the "Good" range for the majority of the state.

High relative humidity could keep fine particulate concentrations slightly elevated during the morning hours as southerly winds continue to advect moisture out of the Gulf. However, a strengthening cold front will facilitate widespread precipitation through most of Texas except the deep South region. Depending on the burning activity and gas flaring in southern Mexico, light density smoke and aerosols could continue to be transported into deep South Texas and along the coastal bend, although modest dispersion due to increased vertical mixing will be possible due to the passing front. Overall, the daily PM2.5 AQI may reach the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Brownsville-McAllen, Corpus Christi, and Laredo areas and the upper end of the "Good" range in a majority of the Austin, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Bryan-College Station, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Tyler-Longview, Victoria, and Waco-Killeen areas.

A more stable atmosphere in far West Texas will make conditions more favorable for fine particulate build-up as weak evening winds are expected, however the daily PM2.5/PM10 AQIs are forecast to remain in the upper end of the "Good" range in a majority of the El Paso area.