DFW Weather: Air Quality Warning Issued Until Thursday

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An air quality advisory is in effect for parts of North Texas, including DFW, through Thursday. This is common during the summer months.

Currently, DFW’s air quality is at the orange level, or “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” meaning people with respiratory problems should limit time spent outdoors.

The warning is due to the expected high ozone levels.

High levels of pollution, sunlight, high pressure and light winds contribute to ozone formation.

High levels of pollutants are caused when emissions from motor vehicles and factories are released into the atmosphere. When pressure is high (as is often the case in summer), sinking air traps these emissions at the surface. On days like today, light winds do not do much to disperse the aerosols, so pollutants remain concentrated over the area.

Sunlight and heat lead to higher concentrations of pollutants and cause a chemical reaction that creates ozone.

Ozone is toxic when inhaled, which is why the air quality warning is in place. Ozone is only useful in the stratosphere, far from human lungs, where it protects us from the sun’s harmful rays.