There is an Air Quality Alert in effect for Jefferson and Shelby Counties today due to high concentrations of “PM 2.5” (particulate matter) in the low-levels of the atmosphere.
A strong ridge over Alabama is keeping the weather dry, hot, and relatively calm, and that is usually a bad thing this time of year when it comes to the concentration of low-level pollution around large urban areas like Birmingham. A stronger breeze or some scattered storms would help disperse some of that pollution, but the ridge is preventing both of those.
Today Central Alabama gets a double-whammy with the air quality and the record heat; it is just simply going to be a rough day to be doing a lot of strenuous outdoor work. If you have severe allergies or asthma, stay indoors as much as you can. There are a few things you can do to help improve the air quality on days like this like driving less, avoiding mowing the grass or using other small engine equipment (if you’re like me, your grass is just about dried up anyway so there’s no use).
Expect record-setting highs today. We are forecasting 98 in Birmingham and Anniston, and it should top out near 99 in Tuscaloosa. All of those would tie or break records for this date. If Birmingham gets to 100 today or tomorrow, it would be the earliest 100-degree temperature ever recorded at the airport. The current “earliest” 100-degree day is June 5th.
-Jason
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