With snow cover across the Basin it’s time to consider the possible presence of winter ozone. USU Bingham Research Center Director Dr. Seth Lyman shared on Wednesday that in order for winter ozone to form there must be snow cover, multi-day temperature inversions, adequate sunlight, and pollutant emissions. So where are things now? “Snow cover now exists across the Uinta Basin, and we are starting to see evidence of a temperature inversion today,” shared Dr. Lyman on Wednesday. “Nevertheless, significant local ozone production is unlikely to happen soon because there isn’t enough sunlight, since we are so close to the winter solstice. We have had high winter ozone in past Decembers of 2010 and 2013, but pollutant emissions are lower now than they were then, so it is less likely now. If local ozone production does happen within the next few weeks, it will build up very slowly because of low sunlight, giving us plenty of warning.” Still, Dr. Lyman recommends preparing now for the possibility of high ozone conditions.
Photo credit Utah State University
