Synopsis:

Alec Kownacki will discuss the ins and outs of air quality forecasting within the air quality division of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). He will go over the history of the two pollutants that are forecasted, surface-level ozone and PM-2.5, along with changes that were made after the wildfire smoke events of 2023 and 2025. Alec will also dive into the specifics of what EGLE meteorologists look at while forecasting air quality across Michigan.

Speaker Bio:

Alec is a meteorologist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in the air quality division and has been in his role since June 2021. Alec holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Central Michigan University for which he graduated from in May 2021. In his role, he forecasts air quality across Michigan, issues Air Quality Alerts when conditions warrant, along with streamlining air quality communication with partners and the public. In addition to air quality forecasting, Alec conducts air dispersion and deposition modeling for air permits across the state using AERMOD (AMS/EPA Regulatory Model).

Aside from work, Alec is a true Michigander, growing up in Armada, MI near the Thumb. He currently resides in Lansing, MI with his lovely wife, Madeline, their 6-month-old son, Henry, and dog, a beagle, Roland (Roli). Alec adores the Upper Peninsula and visits there any chance he gets with family and friends along with his hometown and southwest Michigan, where his in-laws live.