Sonoma Tech meteorologists help make sense of the Air Quality Index, also known as the AQI. Here&apos;s a breakdown of the AQI categories, why AQI forecasts are important, and what goes into the NowCast AQI values you see on AirNow.gov.

High Pressure Podcast

Episode #9: All about the Air Quality Index

In January 2020, Sonoma Technology meteorologists attended the 100th annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society in Boston. During their visit, they were invited on the "AMS on the Air" podcast by host Dakota Smith. Here is that episode, which highlights air quality forecasting and other air quality projects Sonoma Tech&apos;s been involved with.

Episode #8: The High Pressure Podcast at AMS 100

In recognition of EPA&apos;s "Air Quality Awareness Week", Sonoma Tech meteorologists have a three-part discussion on smoke forecasting. The final installment in this series focuses on the summer 2021 forecast and what weather factors are generating the elevated fire danger across the western United States.

Episode #7: Summer 2021 weather & wildfire outlook

In recognition of EPA&apos;s "Air Quality Awareness Week", Sonoma Tech meteorologists have a three-part discussion on smoke forecasting. The second installment discusses why smoke forecasting can be challenging and what tools can aid meteorologists in decision-making support.

Episode #6: Why is smoke forecasting difficult?

In recognition of EPA&apos;s "Air Quality Awareness Week", Sonoma Tech meteorologists have a three-part discussion on smoke forecasting. The first installment focuses on first-hand stories and experiences in forecasting wildfire smoke.

Episode #5: Stories of Smoke Forecasting

On April 9th, 2021, the La Soufrière volcano began to erupt on the island of St. Vincent. Sonoma Tech meteorologists discuss how the volcano is impacting air quality in the Caribbean and globally. 

Episode #4: Volcanoes and Air Quality

Why does smoke turn the sky red? What causes air pollution? These were some of the questions Bay Area students asked the High Pressure Podcast during an October episode of #SonomaKidsAsk on 91.3 FM. This segment&apos;s primary goal is to provide an additional science lesson, at a time when distance and modified learning have impacted children and teachers alike.

#SonomaKidsAsk the High Pressure Podcast

It&apos;s an end of summer tradition, where Nevada&apos;s Black Rock Desert transforms into a thriving art and culture hub. But "Burning Man" is also known for producing poor air quality. Meteorologists Patrick Zahn, Hilary Minor, Jeff Beamish, and Marcus Hylton examine the health effect "Burning Man" has on its participants, and ways people attending can protect themselves from harmful particulate matter.

Episode #3: Burning Man!

If it's summer, it's peak time for ground-level ozone. Meteorologists Patrick Zahn, Jeff Beamish, and Marcus Hylton discuss how ozone forms, why it peaks in summer, and ways Sonoma Technology forecasts ozone.

Episode #2: #OzoneSZN

On May 16, 2019, a severe dust event generated Unhealthy air quality in Imperial Valley, California. In the debut episode of the High Pressure Podcast, meteorologists Patrick Zahn and Jeff Beamish analyze the weather and air quality conditions that triggered this event.

Episode #1: Dust in the Wind

Storm chasing? Not for this group of ridge-chasing meteorologists based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The High Pressure Podcast explores how weather impacts air quality, and how air quality impacts people.

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High Pressure Podcast

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