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Winter weather brings inversion season to Utah

Posted at 7:10 PM, Nov 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-07 21:10:31-05

SALT LAKE CITY – As winter approaches, so does inversion season.

It’s approaching the time of year when Utah’s air quality is at its worst, and Utahns may have already noticed some hazy skies this week.

Friday’s air quality just reached that yellow level, which is considered moderate, according to the Utah Division of Air Quality. In the last decade or so, the earliest red air day has come on November 5.

Bryce Bird, Director for Utah Division of Air Quality, said the inversion is an annual issue.

“When we get the sun angle getting lower, when we get the storms that come through--cools the temperatures down--that's where we start this inversion season, unfortunately,” he said. “It's something we don't like to see, but we know it comes every winter.”

Other parts of the state fared a little worse Friday. The levels of pm 2.5 were higher in Weber County and Uintah County, likely because of the wind.

To check air quality levels or the air quality forecast, visit the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s website.