November 19 2018

Did the sky seem hazy to you today? Perhaps you smelled a hint of smoke or even were around people coughing. The record deadly wildfires in California are 3000 miles from Maryland but the smoke has reached the east coast.  It is more common than you might expect when a large wildfire or volcano has smoke that reaches into the jet stream. Smoke can rise to 40,000 or 50,000 feet and travel very far.

The smoke can add to hate in the air, but also increase the colors at sunset.

 

The image above is the HRRR Model showing the progression of smoke from California across the US and into the Mid Atlantic. That includes here in Maryland. The fire has burned an incredible amount of trees and structures. That smoke has been building over California and blown out to the Pacific from Santa Ana winds. But the recent rain has helped to lift the smoke higher in the atmosphere and spread it via the jet stream eastward.

Air Quality Index (AQI) in Maryland Today

 

Forecast for Tuesday shows lower air quality for Tuesday based on the current numbers above projections.

The AQI for Baltimore this evening was 79, over the forecast of 53.

Note: Our forecast for near record cold in Thanksgiving will help. That airmass from Canada will suppress the smoke to our south.

Click here to see my latest forecast

 

 

Fires Seen From Space

NASA has been capturing views from space like this one showing the extent of the devastating Camp Fire across Paradise from November 14.

 

Fire Stats Since November 8, 2018

  • 77 people confirmed killed (many still missing)
  • 150,000 acres burned
  • 10,300 residences, 410 businesses destroyed
  • 14,500 structures still at risk

 

 

Low Level Water Vapor Satellite Loop

This 6 hour loop shows clouds moving into California with needed rain, but the dry air and smoke are being pushed east.

 

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