Looking hazy outside your window in metro Phoenix? It's smoke from Arizona's wildfires
Were you expecting it to rain? Unfortunately, those aren't real clouds blocking the sun. It's actually smoke from wildfires.
According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix on Monday afternoon, lofted smoke from the Telegraph Fire is causing the sky to look hazy in the Phoenix area as the winds blow west.
Considering Phoenix already hit a high of 113 degrees Monday, at least the sun is blocked out — just not for a good reason.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality did not expect smoke to impact air quality, according to the Weather Service.
However, an Ozone High Pollution Advisory was in effect Monday. The Air Quality Index for Ozone as of 5 p.m. was "unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to AZDEQ. The air quality should improve back to "good" by 9 p.m.
The start of monsoon season is June 15, which means higher temperatures in the Valley. Higher temperatures also create unhealthier air conditions. AZDEQ has already issued Ozone High Pollution Watches for Wednesday through Friday, according to their website.
Wildfire coverage
More:Telegraph, Slate, Mescal fires: Crews make progress on Arizona blazes
More:Evacuation orders lifted for Cornville Fire; 1,200 acres burned acres
Reach breaking news reporter Michael Donohue at Michael.Donohue@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @MRDonohue4
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