Issued on: September 4, 2026
Bright sunshine beneath the heat dome will contribute to an increase in ozone today.  Because the El Niņo contributed to a protracted drought in the Caribbean basin, very late episodes of Saharan dust and Mesoamerican smoke also bring fine particulate matter into the lower part of the moderate category.  An increase in monsoon activity will enhance scattered showers in the Panhandle, but elsewhere, hot, dry weather with only isolated showers enhances high fire danger through the period.  Any fires may produce locally unhealthy smoke.  It the southerly breezes diminish early next week, then ozone in urban areas and in the very dry western counties may increase near or beyond the top of the moderate category.