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What Is an Air Stagnation Advisory?

Knowing what an Air Stagnation Advisory means, where it comes from and how it may affect your daily activities can mean the difference between exposing yourself and loved ones to health risks, or protecting them from those risks. Also, if you understand how an advisory is affecting your area, you can help limit the negative impact your actions have on the environment and those around you.

  1. National Weather Service

    • The National Weather Service (NWS) is a program run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many people, including meteorologists, rely on the information NWS provides about weather conditions. However, the program serves a greater purpose than just predicting everyday conditions. The United States government depends on the NWS to predict, report and update the public about potentially dangerous weather. In addition to air advisories, NWS alerts people to extreme heat, winter storms, snow, hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, floods and increased fire risks.

    Air Stagnation

    • When a weather pattern stops and remains over one area for a period of time, industrial air pollution, dust, gas and smoke builds up. Because the air is not moving the pollutants out of the area, a lack of wind for even a few days may make it difficult to breathe outdoors and reduces the quality of the available air.

    Air Stagnation Advisory

    • The NWS produces advisories to notify the public that a dangerous or unhealthy weather condition may be on its way. Areas with high levels of pollution, such as cities with a lot of industrial commerce, are more likely to receive an Air Stagnation Advisory. This alert warns residents to take precautions while outdoors, helps them recognize when the air quality is poor and instructs them on how to protect themselves and their loved ones.

    Risks

    • Air stagnation is most dangerous to people over 50 years old, young children, pregnant women and those with compromised health or immune systems. During an Air Stagnation Advisory, people in these groups should remain indoors whenever possible. Area residents with breathing or lung conditions, such as asthma, should also avoid going outside.

      Healthy people living in an area that the NWS reports at risk for air stagnation also have responsibilities. Local and regional government agencies and newscasters often instruct people to limit how much they drive and use fireplaces. This way, they do not exacerbate the problem by adding unnecessary pollutants to the stagnant atmosphere. When the NWS indicates the risk has abated, people can resume normal activities.

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