Blog - High or very levels of air pollution across parts of England, brought about by a combination of meteorological conditions.
Friday 10th
Parts of England will experience high levels of air pollution today due to a combination of meteorological factors. A sluggish warm south to southeasterly flow off the near continent is bringing in pollution from urban areas of northern mainland Europe, where cities, such as Paris, are suffering smog thanks to pollution stagnating under an area of high pressure where air is subsiding, trapping vehicle and industrial emissions at the surface. The imported pollution is adding to local vehicle and industrial pollution across the UK to bring high or very levels of pollution across England. Also, to make matters worse, southerly winds not too far aloft have been bringing in dust from the Sahara of NW Africa, which has mixed with the pollution particles.
Light S to SEly flow off the near continent is bringing in pollution of the near continent to add to local pollution:
Winds aloft (925mb) have been bringing in dust all the way from the Sahara in northern Africa:
Parts of eastern England will see high levels of pollution today, with East Sussex and SW Kent seeing very high levels of pollution. So Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings will fall in this 'Very High' category - which is the highest level, with this dirtiest air a risk for those respiratory conditions, with older people and children advised to avoid all strenuous activity completely.
Air pollution forecast today:
And even healthy people, are advised to reduce activity, especially if they experience symptoms such as a cough or sore throat. In those areas with high levels of pollution, which is across many parts of eastern England, mainly those with respiratory conditions should avoid strenuous activity. Older people and anyone suffering discomfort should reduce physical activity. For more information, see the Health Advice on the table at the bottom of this page from DEFRA below:
http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/
However, the high levels of air pollution today will be short-lived, as we see a change in weather overnight. A deepening area of low pressure over the Atlantic moving towards Iceland will push a cold front east across Britain tonight, bringing a band of rain and colder, fresher and cleaner air from the west off the Atlantic following on behind across all areas on Saturday, as the front moves out into the North Sea in the morning. So, as the map from DEFRA below shows, air pollution levels will be much lower.
Cold front moving through on Saturday morning, introducing colder and cleaner air from the west
Air pollution forecast for Saturday:
