Weather conditions that impede the mixing of air layers will prevail in Tashkent and other provinces of Uzbekistan until the end of next week, according to a Sunday report by Uzhydromet. An improvement was previously forecsted for November 24.
On Friday, Uzhydromet Director Sherzod Khabibullaev explained that inversion, which is when cold air is trapped below and warm air is above, preventing air layers from mixing. Fine particles accumulate in the lower atmosphere layers, and their concentration increases sharply. This effect was exacerbated by a prolonged lack of precipitation—the year was the driest since 1917, climatologist Erkin Abdulakhatov underscored on Saturday.
Air quality will be unstable this week, with readings potentially fluctuating throughout the day, Uzhydromet underscored.
"Air quality will improve with a change in air masses, stronger winds, or precipitation," the report stated.
Since last Wednesday, the average daily concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air in Tashkent has been three times higher than the national standard (60 μg/m³).
Tashkenters are advised to limit their time and physical activity outdoors, wear masks outdoors, humidify the air, and, if possible, use air purifiers indoors.
