U.S. Air Quality

Aerosol Optical Depth high over Gulf, Florida fires…

Fire activity in Central America and Mexico continue to contribute to the smoke/haze (AOD; NOAA UMBC GASP IDEA) load seen over the Gulf (left image; UW MODIS Today). Several fires are still present in Florida (right image; MODIS Rapid Response System -> subsets).

The air quality (see below; source: EPA AIRNow) is mostly moderate in California and the South. Clouds are blocking most of our view in the South. However, in California, there is some evidence of haze (mixed with clouds) [see Terra MODIS (likely more fog present than “haze”) and Aqua MODIS].