I'm working on a story about the start of ozone season in the San Joaquin Valley. I've been writing these stories for a number of years, and I'm starting to see a trend in June.

Usually in June, the Valley does not have the highest number of violations in California.

As I'm writing this, the number is 27 for state violations and five for federal. Last year at this point, the Valley had 40 state violations and 11 federal. We're getting a break because of recent mild weather, as the theory goes.

Antelope Valley, which has Joshua Tree National Monument in its basin, has 35 state violations. Joshua Tree already has 30. Antelope Valley has 6 federal violations.

The South Coast Air Basin has 34 state violations and eight federal.

Antelope Valley and South Coast generally lead the pack in the early going. But the Valley often comes on strong in July, August and September.