U.S. Air Quality

Hazy conditions on the East Coast

Lingering haze mixed with clouds (left image is Terra MODIS, right image is Aqua MODIS, source: UW MODIS Today) is still evident on the east coast, specifically over the Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic region, and Southeast. PM2.5 concentrations are elevated where haze was predominant; mostly moderate AQI (EPA AIRNow). Aerosols visible over most of the East is likely a mix of smoke and regional haze (particulate sulfates & nitrates). Moderate to high AOD values (bottom images) due to haze/smoke is shown in the IDEA images below (left- Terra; right-Aqua).

California’s air quality is also in the “moderate” (yellow) range. Lastly, as predicted in the earlier post, tropospheric ozone (source: EPA AIRNow) levels are elevated in California and parts of the Eastern half of the country.