tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post3473961183490774695..comments2024-03-27T15:09:59.039-06:00Comments on Wasatch Weather Weenies: The Approaching Mother of All InversionsJim Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-23689684300178314172016-02-14T10:28:45.594-07:002016-02-14T10:28:45.594-07:00A "solid chunk" ??? Care to put a number...A "solid chunk" ??? Care to put a number on that? Are we talking 50%? More? Less?The Galatian Free Presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993081346010975352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-91575966005505987352016-02-14T10:27:38.051-07:002016-02-14T10:27:38.051-07:00A "solid chunk" ??? Care to put a number...A "solid chunk" ??? Care to put a number on that? Are we talking 50%? More? Less?The Galatian Free Presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993081346010975352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-70515172634917824832016-02-14T10:25:53.164-07:002016-02-14T10:25:53.164-07:00Do the high priced black carbon furnace filters of...Do the high priced black carbon furnace filters offer any additional advantage during an inversion? I have read that they help a lot with the summer ozone, but I haven't heard anything about their effect on the winter inversion air.The Galatian Free Presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993081346010975352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-54853575288572005072015-02-23T09:04:57.808-07:002015-02-23T09:04:57.808-07:00I just want to let you know that I just check out ...I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative..<br /><a href="http://www.miteyfresh.com.au/product/air-purifier-defender/" rel="nofollow">air purifiers for the home</a><br />Now Your Health Improve Guaranteed With Natural Tipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04089097086888530893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-39760919852749468092013-11-16T16:48:25.908-07:002013-11-16T16:48:25.908-07:00I'm no longer looking to relocate to the area ...I'm no longer looking to relocate to the area because of the air issue, it's just not a good move if avoidable. There are other nice places with great outdoors besides SLC area.MIkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215092576836409620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-50662607329580337712013-11-16T16:21:09.454-07:002013-11-16T16:21:09.454-07:00I'm looking for an answer to my question and i...I'm looking for an answer to my question and if the author of this blog can't answer it, I give up. :) I'm looking at a lot in Salt Lake City that is at 5200 feet in elevation (above the capitol). Will I be above the inversion (like it was mentioned Suncrest in Draper is) or am I still breathing that soupy mess? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-23156324147002870102013-08-25T18:46:26.084-06:002013-08-25T18:46:26.084-06:00Yes, it seems that no place on the wasatch front i...Yes, it seems that no place on the wasatch front is safe. Last question - From memory, what was the longest period of time that you recall an inversion lasting, e.g. 2 days, a week, etc? I will continue reading your informative blog...MIkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215092576836409620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-64817984894416497482013-08-25T18:40:00.412-06:002013-08-25T18:40:00.412-06:00High PM episodes occur primarily from Nov-Feb and ...High PM episodes occur primarily from Nov-Feb and then potentially during the fire season. Events are episodic and their intensity and frequency varies depending on the meteorology in any given season. Last year was a terrible year - a perfect storm if you will of meteorology. Other years are not as bad. Utah County has PM problems too - last year they had higher concentrations at times than Salt Lake. Look for posts on Air Quality and Cold Pools in the subject cloud in the right column of this blog for more info.<br />Jim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-31135302418577266692013-08-25T18:36:23.040-06:002013-08-25T18:36:23.040-06:00Suncrest is definitely nice, but there are things ...Suncrest is definitely nice, but there are things I've read about ongoing litigation, and the $200+ HOA fees to live up there aren't too attractive. I came across your blog while doing my research on these inversions. Maybe you can clarify something for me. Is the temperature inversion itself a permanent fixture in the winter months that is only broken up by a storm, only to form again? I don't think that is correct because I've read that, on average, inversion days average about 30 per year, and 30 days is obviously much less than the entire winter. What actually causes the inversion to happen? Also, when there is no inversion happening, I assume that the air quality in Utah County is pretty good? the DAQ right now says PM2.5 is 0.MIkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215092576836409620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-65959026220553770092013-08-25T18:30:32.551-06:002013-08-25T18:30:32.551-06:00I have been told that indoor PM levels are typical...I have been told that indoor PM levels are typically much lower than inside and have seen some data to support this view, but I'd like to see more comprehensive monitoring. Upper Suncrest is often (but not always) above the worst of the air pollution. Jim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-72948808318702342792013-08-25T18:20:39.131-06:002013-08-25T18:20:39.131-06:00I was told that Suncrest is above the pollution, a...I was told that Suncrest is above the pollution, and have seen photos and videos taken from there looking down on the toxic soup..MIkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215092576836409620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-36883659341300319472013-08-25T18:19:33.648-06:002013-08-25T18:19:33.648-06:00I'd like to move to the Wasatch Front, but I n...I'd like to move to the Wasatch Front, but I need to have a way to overcome the effects from the Inversion. Do you think that a high quality air filtration system such as the IQAir Perfect 16 which installs into the HVAC system would be a good solution? I work at home, so I could stay home when the inversions occur without a lot of hassle.MIkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215092576836409620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-47503513476677299032013-02-11T14:01:29.712-07:002013-02-11T14:01:29.712-07:00How high up in elevation to be out of the pollutio...How high up in elevation to be out of the pollution 100%? I have seen smog up on Suncrest where folks think it's out of the range of the inversion. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-14612163618374052502013-02-06T10:06:02.402-07:002013-02-06T10:06:02.402-07:00Hi Jim,
I just found out about your blog through ...Hi Jim, <br />I just found out about your blog through a friend. Recently, I had Roger Peng from Johns Hopkins give a talk on an air pollution intervention study at the UU. HEPA air filters were installed in the common area and bedroom of houses with asthmatic children in Baltimore, MD, and outcome measures studied included asthmatic episodes and PM 2.5 levels. They found both a significant reduction in PM 2.5 and fewer asthmatic episodes among children who received the intervention. We hope to have Roger back again in 1-2 years -- will keep you posted!<br />AngelaAnjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09959769743984157879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-30702461564427908532013-02-03T15:22:05.679-07:002013-02-03T15:22:05.679-07:00Jim -
I've not seen that definition previous...Jim - <br /><br />I've not seen that definition previously, but perhaps some have used it. If you can send along the source, please do. <br /><br />The Glossary of Meteorology definition is, "a departure from the usual decrease or increase with altitude of the value of an atmospheric property". One could interpret "usual" to be the standard lapse rate, although the National Weather Service glossary goes a step further and adds "it almost always refers to a temperature inversion, i.e., an increase in temperature with height, or to the layer within which such an increase occurs.". This definition, where an increase in temperature with height is needed, is the one that I've always used. It would not be surprising, however, if others have differing definitions.<br /><br />JimJim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-64127378183144970142013-02-03T14:38:59.059-07:002013-02-03T14:38:59.059-07:00The technical definition of an inversion is a less...The technical definition of an inversion is a less than standard lapse rate (atmospheric cooling with increase in altitude) Standard lapse rate is ~ 2 degrees C or ~ 3 degrees F per 1000'. It doesn't really have to warm up at altitude, just not cool down as much as normal.jim gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-12239139383238325132013-01-18T17:28:33.683-07:002013-01-18T17:28:33.683-07:00There are some really good face masks to use if yo...There are some really good face masks to use if you have to be outdoors in this toxic soup. I found a carbon NIOSH mask online and I notice a huge difference.<br /><br />I also purchased an IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier as I was having some serious issues with breathing and it has helped. It's not cheap but well worth it.<br />http://www.iqair.com/home-air-purifiers/healthproseries/features.php#hyper<br /><br />There are carbon air filters on the market as well which I have also with a merv rating of 14 which can't be used in an older furnace.<br /><br />I am very sensitive to the inversion so I had to research and find alternatives to oxygen!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-85367782348038944342013-01-17T09:53:06.138-07:002013-01-17T09:53:06.138-07:00Inversion may be the cause, but the effect is SMOG...Inversion may be the cause, but the effect is SMOG!!!! Why not just call it Smog or polution, maybe Utah will take air quality a lot more serious. Inversion just doesn't sound that bad for you.clarsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15718833069757540240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-16650224212042906642013-01-16T08:52:19.327-07:002013-01-16T08:52:19.327-07:00What about face masks? How effective are those?What about face masks? How effective are those?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-40365625227174369272013-01-14T19:46:05.338-07:002013-01-14T19:46:05.338-07:00It's posts like this, and its associated comme...It's posts like this, and its associated commentary, that have made this site one of my daily and favorite readings. Thank you for all the work you put into these posts! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-42621123210826697062013-01-14T12:33:14.316-07:002013-01-14T12:33:14.316-07:00+1 for getting some real information on improving ...+1 for getting some real information on improving indoor air quality. Very useful discussion. Thanks all for your insights.nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02297973659275376858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-73293486845420124662013-01-13T21:05:50.468-07:002013-01-13T21:05:50.468-07:00One other thought ...
2004 was the most recent &q...One other thought ...<br /><br />2004 was the most recent "mother" episode especially in Logan. 24 hr concentrations made it into the 100s if I remember correctly. There was a deep snow cover that season ....tcruickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06730530603038741779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-60262913581305884602013-01-13T21:03:50.213-07:002013-01-13T21:03:50.213-07:00A couple of thoughts:
HEPAs
HEPA filters are P10...A couple of thoughts:<br /><br />HEPAs<br /><br />HEPA filters are P100s I believe. At the P100 level particles with a diameter of >30 ug are trapped by the fabric. DAQ's monitors measure PM2.5 which includes all particles with a diameter of <= 2.5 ug. The diameter of particles that form via chemical reaction in the atmosphere (secondary particulates) will be in the range of 0 to 1 ug within the nucleation and accumulation mode particle categories. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate as well has organic particulates make up between 50% and 75% of our total PM2.5. DAQ does not run instruments that look at the diameter profile of the particles, but it is pretty safe to say that a solid chunk of our particulate would be filtered by a HEPA.<br /><br />Inside vs. Outside<br /><br />The deal with our particulate is that so much of it is ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). Ammonium nitrate happens to be volatile at warmer temperatures and stable at cold temperatures. In our case, the cold temperatures help to keep NH4NO3 as a particle, but once you go indoors the particulate tends to volatilize into it gas phase components. Therefore, indoor air quality is a whole lot better than outdoors. DAQ has done a fair bit of work on this very issue. They conducted numerous studies inside/outside schools. I think they may have worked at Hawthorne among others. Dr. Steve Packham at DAQ would be the contact on that.<br /><br />This week:<br /><br />As you say Jim, the key this week will be how close the inversion is to the Valley floor and whether or not we even get a mixed layer at all. With this snow pack it is possible that we get very little near-surface mixing. Emissions are basically the same day to day so that wont be much of a question mark. In terms of chemistry we can watch for sky cover because photochemistry (sunshine) can drive particulate formation. We have already begin to build PM2.5 concentrations today. It will be interesting to watch (breathe) and see how long this episode lasts.<br />tcruickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06730530603038741779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-74743765758617748282013-01-13T18:13:01.381-07:002013-01-13T18:13:01.381-07:00Looking forward to seeing the results. BTW, my of...Looking forward to seeing the results. BTW, my office when I first got to Utah was on the 4th floor of the CME, so there's good Karma there.Jim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-76227390205637848482013-01-13T17:29:39.181-07:002013-01-13T17:29:39.181-07:00I would guess that an older home would be worse, b...I would guess that an older home would be worse, but Hawthorne Elementary (1700S, 700E in SLC) is not a new building and it looks like it fares pretty well. My office is upstairs CME and I think it represents old construction pretty well, it has original single-pane glass that should be pretty leaky. I'm planning on running the GRIMM throughout this next event to compare with clean air samples. I guess we'll find out!Tim Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08574476889944393515noreply@blogger.com