Forecast Discussion

Hourly ozone levels have risen into the low Code Yellow region in Mecklenburg County (and surrounding counties), while holding in the Code Green range elsewhere. Particle pollution levels are in the Code Green range statewide.

Tomorrow (July 4th), weak high pressure builds back into the region and may begin to stagnate the air mass once again. Air quality levels on Friday should hold around the Code Green/Yellow threshold for both pollutants in the metros and remain a bit lower elsewhere. However, Friday evening into the overnight hours as Fourth of July fireworks are launched, localized areas of significantly elevated fine particulates are likely due to the increasing surface high pressure and potential for reduced air mass dispersion.

Saturday, during the overnight hours until daybreak, fine particulate levels in the major urban locations with heavy fireworks could continue to be elevated before mixing rapidly disperses the smoke out during the morning hours. A drier air mass aloft looks to mix down, providing some additional respite from the relentless humidity of recent weeks. This may be enough to allow ozone levels to rise a bit in the Charlotte region, but with a relatively clean air mass in place, expect ozone levels to predominantly hold in the Code Green range.

Sunday, a weak area of low pressure along the Gulf Stream will meander northward into the eastern Carolinas. This will likely result in clouds and showers from roughly Raleigh eastward, that will hold air quality levels down in this area. Elsewhere, fine particulate levels may remain in the low Code Yellow region around the Charlotte region, while ozone levels hold in the upper Code Green range (if enough clouds make it into western NC).