Ticker for June 8, 2017

                
MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ...
June 8, 2017       June 8, 2017       June 8, 2017       June 8, 2017


Just breathe




You can read the good news right there on the figure, from both the Tulsa and
Norman NWS offices. POLLUTION STRIKES AGAIN! During these ozone alert days,
at-risk populations are, well...at risk, from the high levels of ozone
concentrations. So folks with asthma, heart or lung disease, the elderly and
children. Some things you can do to help your fellow human being are:

The general public is encouraged to help alleviate the problem by
reducing vehicle miles traveled by riding the bus...carpooling...or
avoiding unnecessary trips.  The public is also asked to avoid
refueling during the morning and early afternoon hours...and to
avoid the use of two cycle engines such as lawn mowers...
motorcycles...weed trimmers...and outboard engines. It is also
advised to limit outdoor burning.

You can see that dispersion conditions, or the ability of the atmosphere to
dilute airborne particles (i.e., smoke, pollution, pesticides) is poor to
moderately poor across the state right now.



You can follow dispersion conditions on the Mesonet by clicking the dispersion
map in our wind section (nope, no saxophones allowed).

http://www.mesonet.org/index.php/weather/category/wind

In other good news, dry weather is starting to creep back into the state. The
new Drought Monitor map is still pretty clear, but the yellow "Abnormally Dry"
area increased just a bit across southern OK.



Nothing to worry about just yet, but the rainfall deficits are starting to
grow.




For some ACTUAL good news, there are increasing rain chances tonight, and again
next week. As foretold by our local NWS offices that cover differing parts of
the state:





We're rapidly approaching our normal summer doldrums period in a couple of weeks,
so we need whatever rain Mother Nature can provide, especially in those areas
that are seeing the growing deficits.

We could also use an ozone deficit today. Mow your lawn tonight. Then come over
and mow mine.

Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org