Has California fire smoke reached the Twin Cities?

Posted at 3:52 PM on September 4, 2009 by Paul Huttner

MNDOT traffic cam showing a milky whitish tinted sky today over the metro.

Have you noticed the sky looks different today?

Smoke from western wildfires may have reached the Twin Cities today. There is a whitish tint to the sky. That's common when smoke from distant fires filters into our region. Smoke and haze were reported in Denver and Vegas this week. It's quite possible that our tinted sky is a result of smoke from fires in California. It should create a vivid reddish tint at sunset tonight and this weekend.

The MPCA is reporting particulate matter in the moderate range today. Most of that is likely due to localized pollutants from our stagnant air mass. Much of the smoke from western fires is likely elevated above 5,000 feet. There is an air quality advisory for much of Wisconsin.

Keep an eye out this weekend for a whitish tint to the otherwise sunny sky during the day, and for vivid reddish tones at sunset.

And enjoy the GREAT weather this weekend. Look for highs in the upper 70s to near 80 pretty much statewide.

Have a great and safe holiday.

PH

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