When weather conditions and air monitoring data indicate the probability of elevated smog levels in the next 48 hours, we will ask meteorologists, traffic reporters, news media, local businesses and other public agencies to encourage people to make voluntary changes to avoid further elevation of smog levels. We'll notify you by email when air quality conditions indicate the need for action. Smog-forming pollutants are primarily generated by traffic and activities in urban areas, but often the pollution is blown away from cities and follows wind flows to outlying suburban and rural areas. Smog is a problem for the Puget Sound area during the summer months. Temperatures near 90 degrees or higher have the most potential to create smog, especially when winds are stagnant or light.
Weather is one of the key factors in any kind of pollution formation, and it is also true for smog.
While we can't control our weather, we do have the ability to change our smog-producing activities. This is vitally important when our weather won't cooperate with our desire to have clean air. Smog causes breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds. It is especially harmful to young children, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory problems. Many children and active people who bicycle or jog can attest to breathing problems when smog pollution is elevated.