Highlights
- ADEQ issued an Ozone and PM-10 High Pollution Advisory for the Phoenix metro area on August 7, effective through 9 p.m.
- Gusty winds are forecast to generate widespread blowing dust, posing health risks alongside elevated ozone concentrations.
- Children, older adults, and those with respiratory or heart conditions face the greatest risk and are advised to limit physical activity.
- Residents are urged to carpool, use mass transit, and avoid gasoline-powered equipment to reduce emissions.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued a combined Ozone and PM-10 High Pollution Advisory for the Phoenix metro area Friday, warning that forecast weather conditions are expected to push ozone and coarse particulate concentrations to levels that pose a health risk. The advisory, relayed by the National Weather Service Phoenix at 10:14 a.m. MST, runs through 9 p.m.
Ozone levels are forecast to exceed safe thresholds for 8-hour exposure periods. The agency says ozone can cause breathing difficulties for children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions, and recommends a decrease in physical activity for those groups.
A separate but concurrent threat: strong and gusty winds are expected to generate widespread blowing dust, elevating PM-10, coarse particulate matter, to concentrations that can aggravate heart and lung disease, particularly in older adults, children, and those with asthma.
ADEQ is asking residents to carpool, telecommute, or use mass transit; reduce or delay use of gasoline-powered equipment until late in the day; stabilize loose soils; slow down or avoid travel on dirt roads; and eliminate fireplace use.
Residents can track current conditions and advisory status at azdeq.gov/forecast/phoenix or by calling ADEQ at 602-771-2300. The advisory expires at 9 p.m. MST Friday.
Sources
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- api.weather.gov retrieved 07/08/2026 17:15
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 07/08/2026 17:15. Every claim traces to a source.
