Wildfire Smoke from Canada Blankets Parts of the U.S.
June 28, 2023
Smoke from the wildfires raging in Canada has reached parts of the United States, causing poor air quality and hazy skies. Satellite images from NASA even show the smoke traveling across the Atlantic to Europe. The smoke is expected to continue affecting various regions in the U.S. throughout the week.
On Tuesday, cities in the Midwest, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit, experienced very unhealthy levels of smoke, making their air quality some of the worst in the world, according to IQ Air. Areas to the East and South of these cities had moderate air quality, as measured by AirNow, a government site that monitors air quality.
The smoke is being carried by the jet stream, a pattern of wind that flows from west to east. Meteorologists Jen Carfagno and Greg Postel from The Weather Channel explained that the early start to the fire season in Canada is due to extremely above-average temperatures. As a result, cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Richmond, and Virginia Beach could also experience smoke in the sky.
An interactive map from NOAA shows the dense smoke swirling across the U.S., moving southeast across Pennsylvania towards Washington, D.C., and north towards Buffalo. Less dense smoke is also seen traveling towards eastern cities like Philadelphia and New York.
Air quality levels have been affected in several cities. Pittsburgh experienced very unhealthy air quality on Wednesday, while Baltimore-Washington issued an air quality alert for Maryland, the Washington D.C. metro area, and parts of Northern Virginia. Buffalo also had unhealthy air quality, while Detroit remained at a very unhealthy level.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued air quality health advisories for western and central New York and Eastern Lake Ontario, urging residents to take precautions as the smoke continues to spread.
While the effects of the smoke are expected to be felt in Washington D.C., it remains unclear how severe it will be in New York and Philadelphia. However, these cities may see more smoke into Friday morning. The amount of smoke reaching the U.S. depends on various factors such as wind direction, wind speeds, density variations, and atmospheric stability.
The Midwest is not out of danger yet, as another batch of smoke is projected to reach Minnesota and North Dakota on Thursday. The situation is unlikely to improve without a significant improvement in the Canadian fire situation or a change in wind flow.
This is not the first time smoke from wildfires has traveled long distances. In 2017, smoke from West Coast wildfires reached the East Coast, covering a distance of 3,000 miles. In 2020, smoke from the Australian bushfires circled the globe, reaching back to Australia where the fires originated.
The impact of the wildfire smoke on air quality and health remains a concern, and residents in affected areas are advised to stay indoors, limit outdoor activities, and follow any air quality advisories or alerts issued by local authorities.
Sources:
– CBS News
– IQ Air
– AirNow
– The Weather Channel
– NOAA
– NWS Pittsburgh
– NWS Buffalo
– New York Department of Health
– NASAWildfire Smoke from Canada Blankets Parts of the U.S.
June 28, 2023
Smoke from the wildfires raging in Canada has reached parts of the United States, causing poor air quality and hazy skies. Satellite images from NASA even show the smoke traveling across the Atlantic to Europe. The smoke is expected to continue affecting various regions in the U.S. throughout the week.
On Tuesday, cities in the Midwest, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit, experienced very unhealthy levels of smoke, making their air quality some of the worst in the world, according to IQ Air. Areas to the East and South of these cities had moderate air quality, as reported by AirNow, a government site that measures air quality.
The smoke is being carried by the jet stream, a pattern of wind that flows from west to east. Meteorologists Jen Carfagno and Greg Postel from The Weather Channel explained that the early start to the fire season in Canada is due to extremely above-average temperatures. As a result, cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Richmond, and Virginia Beach could also experience smoke in the sky.
An interactive map from NOAA shows the dense smoke swirling across the U.S., with some areas experiencing more intense levels of smoke particulates than others. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh had a purple or very unhealthy air quality level, while the Washington D.C. metro area and parts of Northern Virginia had a yellow or moderate air quality level.
Buffalo, on the other hand, had a red or unhealthy air quality level. The National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington issued an air quality alert for Maryland, the Washington D.C. metro area, and parts of Northern Virginia due to the haze from the wildfire smoke. The New York Department of Health also warned of potential spikes in air quality index levels reaching “Very Unhealthy” or “Hazardous” in western and central New York and Eastern Lake Ontario.
While the effects of the smoke are expected to be felt in Washington D.C., it remains unclear how severe it will be in New York and Philadelphia. However, there is a possibility that these cities will experience more smoke into Friday morning. The amount of smoke reaching the U.S. depends on various factors such as wind direction, wind speeds, density variations in the smoke, and atmospheric stability.
The Midwest is not out of danger yet, as another batch of smoke is projected to reach Minnesota and North Dakota on Thursday. The situation is unlikely to improve without a significant improvement in the Canadian fire situation or a change in wind flow.
This is not the first time smoke from wildfires has traveled long distances. In 2017, smoke from West Coast wildfires reached the East Coast, covering a distance of 3,000 miles. In 2020, smoke from the Australian bushfires circled the globe, reaching back to Australia where the fires originated.
The impact of the wildfire smoke on air quality and visibility serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and prevent the occurrence of such devastating wildfires.
What factors determine the severity of the smoke reaching New York and Philadelphia, and how long is it expected to last in these cities
Th the smoke moving southeast across Pennsylvania towards Washington, D.C., and north towards Buffalo. Less dense smoke is also seen traveling towards eastern cities like Philadelphia and New York.
Air quality levels have been affected in several cities. Pittsburgh experienced very unhealthy air quality on Wednesday, while Baltimore-Washington issued an air quality alert for Maryland, the Washington D.C. metro area, and parts of Northern Virginia. Buffalo also had unhealthy air quality, while Detroit remained at a very unhealthy level.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued air quality health advisories for western and central New York and Eastern Lake Ontario, urging residents to take precautions as the smoke continues to spread.
While the effects of the smoke are expected to be felt in Washington D.C., it remains unclear how severe it will be in New York and Philadelphia. However, these cities may see more smoke into Friday morning. The amount of smoke reaching the U.S. depends on various factors such as wind direction, wind speeds, density variations, and atmospheric stability.
The Midwest is not out of danger yet, as another batch of smoke is projected to reach Minnesota and North Dakota on Thursday. The situation is unlikely to improve without a significant improvement in the Canadian fire situation or a change in wind flow.
This is not the first time smoke from wildfires has traveled long distances. In 2017, smoke from West Coast wildfires reached the East Coast, covering a distance of 3,000 miles. In 2020, smoke from the Australian bushfires circled the globe, reaching back to Australia where the fires originated.
The impact of the wildfire smoke on air quality and health remains a concern, and residents in affected areas are advised to stay indoors, limit outdoor activities, and follow any air quality advisories or alerts issued by local authorities.
It’s disheartening to see the devastating effects of Canadian wildfires spreading across borders. The combination of severe weather and heat intensifies the urgency for global action on climate change. Let’s prioritize the preservation of our planet and work together to prevent further catastrophic events like this.
This article is a stark reminder that the effects of wildfires can extend far beyond their origin. The spread of smoke from Canadian wildfires to the U.S. and Europe not only poses severe weather challenges but also highlights the urgent need for global collaboration and proactive measures to combat climate change.