Tashkent may see temporary deterioration in air quality

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Tashkent may experience a temporary deterioration in air quality overnight on 14 October due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan has reported.

According to forecasts, air quality during the night and morning hours is expected to fall mainly into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category under the international Air Quality Index (AQI), while remaining “good” under the national standard.

Some areas may also briefly experience “unhealthy” air quality, corresponding to the “moderate” category under the national standard.

According to global weather models and forecasts from UzHydromet, air temperatures may drop to 11°C overnight, while wind speeds are expected to remain at 0–2 metres per second.

Under these conditions, rapid cooling of the air near the ground, combined with relatively warm air above it, could lead to a temperature inversion.

Weak winds and the inversion would restrict air exchange in the lower atmosphere, allowing fine particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 to accumulate near the surface and temporarily increase in concentration during the night and morning.

Air quality is expected to improve gradually during the day as the ground warms, the inversion weakens and vertical air mixing intensifies. Residents are advised to avoid spending prolonged periods outdoors in the evening.

Atmospheric air quality is currently under continuous monitoring by a special commission.