Air quality in the Katy and Fulshear area will be unhealthy for sensitive groups on Monday, Aug. 31, under an Ozone Action Day declared by the National Weather Service (NWS) Houston/Galveston.
The NWS Houston alert warns that atmospheric conditions are expected to produce high levels of ozone pollution across the Houston, Galveston and surrounding areas.
Monday marks the second straight Ozone Action Day for the region. The NWS also declared Sunday, Aug. 30, an Ozone Action Day, describing Monday's alert as "another" in the stretch.
What residents should do
The NWS recommends three steps for Monday:
- Move outdoor activities to early morning or late evening.
- Limit driving or carpool.
- Check conditions at weather.gov/houston or by following @NWSHouston on X for real-time updates.
Drought adds to air quality strain
The ozone advisory lands during a stretch of worsening drought across Southeast Texas. The Houston Chronicle reported that about 43% of Southeast Texas is now experiencing moderate drought, up from less than 1% a week earlier, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Temperatures in the Houston metro area were expected to reach the mid-90s over the weekend, with ozone levels potentially becoming a concern as afternoon heat builds.
Fort Bend County commissioners approved an outdoor burn ban on Aug. 27, effective at 5 p.m. that day, covering all unincorporated areas. The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal's Office reported a Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reading of 634 out of 800, where 800 represents extremely dry conditions. The burn ban remains in effect until commissioners rescind it.
No local Katy or Fulshear public safety agency has issued a separate statement on the ozone advisory as of Monday morning. Residents can monitor air quality updates at weather.gov/houston.
