Map Shows Where Millions Asked to Delay Trips to Gas Stations

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Officials in Southern California are urging millions of residents to delay trips to gas stations due to an expected deterioration in air quality.

A spokesperson for South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) told Newsweek via email on Tuesday that residents were being advised to delay trips to the gas station until night because vehicle emissions are "less likely to form ozone when the sun is down."

California's South Coast AQMD issued an air quality alert this week due to a potentially dangerous increase in ozone levels. The alert, which covers large portions of the greater Los Angeles area, Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley, will remain in effect until Tuesday night at 7 p.m. local time.

Ground-level ozone, the main component to "smog," is created when pollutants like vehicle emissions are released into the environment and undergo a chemical reaction in sunlight. Ozone is considered "a harmful air pollutant" by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and can cause adverse health effects in children and other sensitive groups.

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The South Coast AQMD air quality alert, which was shared online by the National Weather Service (NWS), asks those in affected areas to help limit the amount of ozone by delaying trips to gas stations and taking several other steps that could improve air quality.

The following map from NWS on Tuesday highlights Los Angeles and several other areas in Southern California in gray to indicate that an air quality alert is in effect:

Air Quality Alert Gas Stations California Ozone — This map from the National Weather Service shows Los Angeles and other areas of Southern California in gray to indicate that they are under an air quality alert until 9 a.m. on Wednesday. National Weather Service

"To help minimize ozone air pollution levels: Limit the use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment until evening hours," the alert states. "Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature... Try to delay trips to the gas station and the use of household chemicals until the evening."

"Air quality can change depending on time of day and weather conditions," it continues. "Increased emissions of chemicals and faster ozone formation rates due to heat, along with low winds and stagnant weather can cause unusually high and persistent levels of ozone pollution."

Another map shared by South Coast AQMD on Tuesday afternoon to X, formerly Twitter, showed that some areas had "good" air quality at the time. However, large areas north and east of Los Angeles, including the Coachella Valley, were under a "code orange" air quality warning, while a smaller area north of San Bernardino was at "code red."

In orange conditions, "people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, children, and older adults should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion," according to the air quality alert. At code red, "everyone may experience adverse health effects and sensitive groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors."

In addition to air quality concerns, several areas in Southern California have been experiencing particularly hot and sunny weather this week, which is likely contributing to the creation of ozone and smog.

"Ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban environments, but can still reach high levels during colder months," the EPA website states. "Ozone can also be transported long distances by wind, so even rural areas can experience high ozone levels."

Update 6/25, 6:19 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comments from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and additional information.