Prince George, B.C.- The Air Quality Advisory issued this morning in Prince George, remains in effect.

Ministry of Environment meteorologist Dennis Fudge says the 24 hour PM2.5 rolling average was 30 µg/m3 at the Plaza 400 downtown site and 29 µg/m3 at College Heights at 4 pm today  over the Provincial objective for fine particulate  which is 25 micrograms per cubic metre, averaged over 24 hours..

The provincial air quality objective for coarse particles (PM10) is 50 micrograms per cubic metre, averaged over 24 hours. The 24 hour PM10 rolling average was 56 µg/m3 at the Plaza 400 downtown, 41 µg/m3 at College Heights and 55 µg/m3 at BCR at 4 pm today.

Fudge says the source of the  high levels  is mainly  industrial, but there is  also a component  from residential heating and  road dust.

The  high pressure ridge sitting over the region is giving stagnant conditions to the region causing pollutants to become trapped in the bowl area of Prince George. Higher particulate levels and odour are expected to continue into this evening. Conditions are expected to improve later tonight as winds are forecast to increase overnight. Air quality is expected to be better at higher elevations.

An update will be issued tomorrow morning.