U.S. Air Quality

Dust Event in Nevada, Limited Fire Activity, Mostly Good Air Quality

Air quality was mostly good across the country today, with a few isolated pockets of code yellow (moderate) air quality for PM2.5 and ozone (see AIRNow maps, below left and right, respectively).

Today’s Aqua MODIS true color image shows widespread clouds in the eastern half of the U.S. The corresponding Aqua MODIS AOD indicates relatively high levels of light extinction due to particles in Nevada. The NOAA Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product shows very little fire activity in the U.S., especially in comparison with recent weeks. (Mexico and Guatemala, on the other hand, continue to experience heavy fire activity).

As for the elevated AOD in Nevada, the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System shows us that this may be a dust event.