Air Quality Forecasting and Outreach Support for the Sacramento Region in California

For over two decades, Sonoma Technology has provided daily air quality forecasting, web services, and outreach support to SMAQMD. We operate SMAQMD’s Spare The Air summertime ozone and Check Before You Burn (CBYB) wintertime PM_2.5 forecasting programs, which help SMAQMD achieve its goals of protecting public health and the environment in the Sacramento region by raising public awareness and reducing emissions during potential high-pollution episodes. We also operate and maintain SMAQMD’s Spare The Air website (<a href="http://www.sparetheair.com/" target="_blank">www.sparetheair.com</a href>) and the Air Alert forecast and real-time email notification system. In addition, we develop machine learning-based ozone and PM_2.5 forecasting tools to help guide our air quality forecasts.<br>

Our analyses have demonstrated that SMAQMD’s CBYB program effectively reduces PM_2.5 concentrations in the Sacramento region. Another recent analysis demonstrated improved air quality throughout the region during the 2020 Shelter-in-Place, even after accounting for interannual variations in weather patterns.