U.S. Air Quality

Aerosol Soup

Smoke from fires continues to move into the West and Central U.S. The smoke density is particularly intense over the Northwest and Canada (IDEA; left image & UW MODIS Direct right image). The AOD is also high over the Atlantic and is moving into the southeast U.S.. This is likely due to dust aerosols transported from Africa. The NRL NAAPS team does a good job at estimating aerosol concentrations across North America (bottom left image). Air quality conditions vary form good to moderate across the U.S (EPA AIRNow; bottom right image). Moderate conditions dominate the East coast and parts of the West; local air pollution (sulfates & nitrates) sources are probably primarily responsible. Aerosols from transported sources may be contributing as well.