Update: Advisory Lifted

Update: 12:50 pm March 21:

The Ministry of Environment has lifted the dust advisory for the Vernon area.

“Changing weather conditions have contributed to improving air quality, and this is expected to continue over the next few days,” says a release.

It’s getting dusty again in the Vernon area.

The Ministry of Environment and Interior Health have issued a dust advisory due to high levels of course particulates in the air.

The conditions are mainly due to road traction materials getting stirred up by vehicles.

“PM10 concentrations (particles with diameter up to 10 millionth of a metre) are currently above advisory levels. Latest measurements at the Vernon Science Centre station indicate an hourly average of 75.7 micrograms per cubic metre,” says a ministry release. “The average for the past 24 hours is 67.2 micrograms per cubic metre, which exceeds the provincial air quality objective of 50 micrograms per cubic metre.”

The high levels — which can be a health concern for some people — are expected to continue until there is some rain.

It’s the fourth time the advisory has been issued over the last few months.