U.S. Air Quality

Poor air quality in Michigan

The MODIS Direct picture shows the persisting haze lingering over a large part of the Midwest, south and northeast. The HMS image shows some smoke in the east and northeast. This suggests that the thick haze is also composed of smoke from local fires. The GASP image indicates that areas from the south to the Midwest are under hazy conditions. On MODIS Direct, HMS and GASP images, it is still possible to see some pollution exiting the continent through the northeast.

MODIS Direct image and IDEA map showing AOD in warm colors

Tropical storm Ophelia, which is advancing very slowly, can be seen south of Virginia.

Today, the EPA AirNow reported more PM2.5 monitoring stations under code orange in Michigan. The PM2.5 concentration is 47.1 ug/m3 (AQI 114) in Ann Arbor MI. While most of the northeast is under hazy conditions, Maryland has low Aerosol Optical Depth. The air quality in Baltimore is “good” to “moderate” with the PM2.5 concentration being 15.4 ug/m3. At the same time, the ozone levels are still "moderate" in the Midwest, the south and northeast (EPA AirNow). O3 levels reached unhealthy for sensitive groups in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.

HMS map showing fires in red and smoke in gray and EPA AirNow image showing PM2.5 concentrations

Posted by Kamonayi Mubenga at September 13, 2005 4:31 PM