Ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level on Wednesday according to the Maine Department of Environmetal Protecdtion.

Ozone levels in the rest of New England have been high for days.  Ozone moved further into Maine overnight than expected.  As yesterday’s ozone plume moves on during the morning hours, ozone values are expected to decrease.  However, more ozone is expected to move in and form over the Gulf of Maine today.  The entire coast as well as both the Western and Eastern Interior regions are now likely to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitie Groups category.  These areas include:  all of York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Waldo, Hancock and Washington counties and the southern half of Penobscot County.

In addiion, the Western Mounains & Northern regions are Moderate for ozone.  Therefore, all other counties not mentioned above are Moderate for ozone.  Meanwhile the entire state is Moderate for particle pollution.

At this time, we belileve the alert is for today, but if situations change rapidly another alert could be in effect tomorro. So, please check the Air Quality Forecast webpage tomorrow morning.