The Challenge
The Sacramento region experiences seasonal air quality challenges from both ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Protecting public health and reducing emissions during potential high-pollution episodes requires accurate daily forecasts paired with timely, accessible information that helps residents understand current conditions and take appropriate action.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District needed ongoing forecasting, digital, and public outreach support for programs addressing summertime ozone and wintertime PM2.5, along with tools capable of delivering real-time air quality information to communities across the region.
Our Solution
For more than two decades, Spheros Environmental has provided daily air quality forecasting, web services, and outreach support to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
The team operates the District’s Spare The Air summertime ozone forecasting program and Check Before You Burn wintertime PM2.5 forecasting program. These initiatives provide residents with timely air quality information while supporting the District’s efforts to raise public awareness and reduce emissions during periods when elevated pollution is expected.
Spheros also operates and maintains the Spare The Air website and Air Alert forecast and real-time email notification system, providing accessible digital channels for communicating air quality conditions to the public.
To continually enhance forecasting capabilities, the team develops machine learning-based ozone and PM2.5 forecasting tools that help guide daily forecasts and applies meteorological and air quality expertise to evaluate regional pollution patterns and program effectiveness.
Air Quality Forecasting and Outreach Consultant
Results +What makes this unique
More than two decades of continuous support have provided the Sacramento region with an integrated approach to air quality forecasting, digital communication, and public outreach across both summer ozone and winter PM2.5 seasons.
Spheros’ analyses have demonstrated that the Check Before You Burn program effectively reduces PM2.5 concentrations in the Sacramento region. The team has also evaluated broader changes in regional air quality, including an analysis demonstrating improved air quality during the 2020 Shelter-in-Place period after accounting for year-to-year variations in weather.
By combining air quality science, meteorology, machine learning, forecasting, software development, and public communication, the project demonstrates how technical analysis and accessible digital tools can work together to inform communities and support effective air quality management.
Project Experts
