Between wind storms, snow storms, and ice storms, I think this is the fifth snow day that we’ve had in the Pacific Northwest. What a treat. Back at UNO, they preferred not to cancel classes unless the world was ending (though there was a theory that the chancellor decided to cancel school only if she slipped and fell on her front porch. However, that theory has since been debunked by creative pranksters who threw water on the porch in freezing temperatures… the chancellor did in fact slip, but school was not cancelled. But I digress).

With the lack of ideal driving temperatures comes a warning on weather.com that I’ve not seen before. Beware of air stagnation!!!

…AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST TUESDAY…HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT OVER WESTERN WASHINGTON WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE A TEMPERATURE INVERSION ACROSS THE LOWLANDS. TRAPPED COLD AIR NEAR THE SURFACE AND LITTLE MIXING OF THE AIR MASS IN THIS PATTERN WILL RESULT IN POOR AIR QUALITY.
CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS IN YOUR AREA.

Does this mean I need to start wearing a surgical mask before I leave the house?