August 2037. Wednesday. The dog's at the door. I pick up my phone to check if we can walk the river path before work.
Heat advisory expired Monday at 8 PM. Green banner, archived.
Tuesday 8:45 AM, the school: Early dismissal 12:30. AQI 163. Outdoor activities suspended. By 10:31 the sensor read 118. The notice was already sent.
Tuesday 9:18 AM, the utility: Conservation event 2–6 PM. Thermostat +3°F. Opt out in app. Third one this summer. The kids got home at 12:30 into a house the grid was warming.
Tuesday 4 PM, Fish & Wildlife: Recreational fishery closed effective 12:01 AM Wednesday. Harvest guideline reached. For water temperature, contact a different agency.
This morning, 6:47: new air quality alert through Monday. And 7:58, the school: OPEN. Outdoor activities evaluated hourly.
I scroll back through all of it. The dog's still at the door. I put the phone in my pocket and get the leash and I figure we'll find out.
What each system measures
NWS heat advisory: Heat index at forecast time. Expires at a preset hour whether or not conditions have changed.
School AQI protocol: Air quality reading taken early morning. Decision made once. Dismissal notice may arrive hours after the air improves.
Utility demand response: Grid stress forecast. Thermostat adjusts automatically during the event window. Opting out requires opening the app.
Fishery bulletin: Harvest share against seasonal quota. Issued when a threshold is crossed. Says nothing about water temperature or recreational safety.
AirNow sensor: Particulate matter, updated hourly. Connected to none of the above.