science environment

Air Quality Advisory For Oregon And SW Washington Lifted Following Rain

By Rebecca Ellis (OPB)
Portland, Ore. Nov. 12, 2019 7:49 p.m.

An air quality advisory that covered much of Oregon and Southwest Washington for just over a week has been lifted.

The advisory expired at noon on Tuesday.

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Since Nov. 4, Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality warned of a high-pressure weather pattern creating stagnant air throughout the region. The pattern was trapping particles close to the ground, causing potential breathing difficulties for young children and those with heart and lung problems.

But Susan Mills, a spokesperson for Oregon’s DEQ, said the dangers have mostly dissipated, allowing the department to lift its advisory. However, officials are still monitoring the Medford area, where moderate levels of particulates remain trapped. Mills said the pollution there is likely not serious enough to make breathing difficult for sensitive groups.

Sven Nelaimischkies, a meteorologist with the Medford branch of the National Weather Service, said parts of Southern Oregon are still experiencing a strong surface inversion, which can trap smoke near the surface. It hasn’t helped that the region saw an unusually dry fall with no rainfall for 24 days.

Nelaimischkies said rain can often help purify the air during an inversion.

“When rain comes in, that usually breaks that pattern up,” Nelaimischkies said. “Air can mix out and all the smoke can actually finally blow out of the area.”

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