Phoenix is beginning 2018 with poor air quality. Health officials have issued a high pollution advisory through Tuesday for the metro area.

Air quality is expected to even reach the very unhealthy category in some areas. Mark O’Malley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says a high pressure system is responsible for the haze sitting over Phoenix.

"That's trapping all the air down into the Valley ... like a bowl of water where the smoke keeps sloshing back and forth, but it can’t escape,” O’Malley said.

People burning wood over the holidays only makes the problem worse, he said.

Those who are sensitive to air quality should avoid being outside. O’Malley said that even healthy people could feel the effects given the high levels.