The ozone violations come in bunches after June 1 in California, but the San Joaquin Valley gets a jump on the rest of the state in most years. Last year, the Valley had its first federal ozone violation the day before St. Patrick's Day.

Not this year. The Valley hasn't violated the federal eight-hour standard yet.

But here's the kicker: San Diego has. Lovely San Diego -- land of surf and balmy days -- had only seven violations last year. The Valley had 65.

What happened this year? The answer is easy. The spring has been mild and breezy, with emphasis on breezy. The breeze has blown the Valley bowl clean for the last two months. San Diego caught one windless day in April, and that was enough.