UPDATE March 10:
Vernon residents can breath a little easier.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority has ended the dust advisory that was issued on March 7 for Vernon due to elevated concentrations of dust.
“Changing meteorological conditions have improved conditions across the region,” the ministry said Friday, March 10.
Vernon’s PM10 (particles 10 micrometers or smaller) is 47.9 as of 2 p.m. Friday.
Similarly, Golden’s dust advisory was lifted Friday as PM10 lowered to 43.2.
In contrast, Kelowna’s is 19.1 and Castlegar’s is 11.3.
Air quality advisories are triggered when PM10 is 50 per cubic metre averaged over 24 hours.
Vernon’s was 75 Thursday.
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ORIGINAL March 9:
A severe weather alert has been issued due to poor air quality in Vernon.
A dust advisory continues for its third day Thursday, March 9 due to high concentrations of coarse particulate matter in the air.
The health risk was downgraded to a three, or low, Thursday afternoon after it reached seven, or high, in the morning.
Air quality advisories are triggered when PM10 (particles 10 micrometers or smaller) is 50 per cubic metre averaged over 24 hours.
Vernon’s was 75 as of 2 p.m. Thursday, compared to 28.7 in Kelowna.
A dust advisory also continues for Golden, with a concentration of 69, compared to 12.9 in Castlegar.
The advisory is “expected to persist until there is precipitation, dust suppression or a change in traffic patterns,” according to the ministry of environment and climate change.
There is a 30-40 per cent chance of snow Friday morning between 7 and 9 a.m.
READ MORE: Dust worsens in Vernon, extending air quality advisory
READ MORE: Dust advisory stirred back up in Vernon
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