Forecasting Air Quality in Maine: Ozone and Particle Pollution Monitoring

1. Maine’s 2012 Ozone, PM2.5and PM10 Martha Webster Senior Meteorologist Maine DEP-BAQ 17 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0017 Tel: 207-287-8093 E-mail: martha.e.webster@maine.gov Acadia Sunset Photo Courtesy of HAZECAM Network

2. Map for Forecast Website showing continuous monitors for Ozone and Particle Pollution along with the forecast regions

3. Ozone

4. Ozone NAAQS • 8 hr. average set at 75 ppb (0.075ppm) • Maine has been monitoring attainment for the current Ozone NAAQS for the last three design value periods. • EPA currently in 5 year review period for ozone. Most likely to propose in 2014.

6. Forecasting Issues • Spring ozone continues to be difficult to pin down. For sites away from the coast these are usually the highest values of the year. • Summer ozone is a little easier to predict because regional events are usually the driving factor so we can see it building and heading our way.

11. Spring Mtn Top

13. PM2.5

14. PM2.5 NAAQS • Primary 24 hr. average set at 35 µg/m3 • Primary annual average was recently promulgated at 12 µg/m3 • Maine’s 24 hr. DV has always been below the current NAAQS • Maine’s Annual DV has not exceeded 12 since 2003 – 2005 period.

15. Insert Design value chart New Annual PM2.5 NAAQS

16. Forecasting Issues • Continue to work to correctly forecast winter particle pollution: it seems that each winter is different than the one before. • This winter it has been complicated by the new, lower Good/Moderate AQI breakpoint as well as the staggered switch to BAMS monitors. • Summer is dominated by regional events.

21. Winter Spring Summer Autumn Winter = Dec - March

22. Year-round Valley

23. PM10

25. Cont PM10