Smoky Skies Across the Country

news image
Top Stories
14 Aug 2018 3:56 PM
Seattle.  Denver.  Minneapolis.  Chicago.  Nashville.  What do all these cities have in common?  Smoke. Smoky Skies Across the Country Smoky Skies Across the Country Over the last few days, the sky has been very hazy.  It's all because of the wildfires burning throughout western North America---in the United States and Canada.  Hundreds of thousands of acres have burned so far in 2018.  In fact, as of August 14, nearly 1.8 million acres have been charred this wildfire season.  Several large fires continue to burn. Smoky Skies Across the Country Smoky Skies Across the Country https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1029342870572949504 But why would wildfires that are thousands of miles away lead to smoky skies in cities like Detroit and Atlanta?  The short answer: the jet stream.  The jet stream is a narrow band of strong winds in the atmosphere that controls the movement of high and low pressure systems and associated fronts.  Usually found between 30,000 and 40,000 feet above the Earth's surface, jet streams will move from time to time.  Wind speeds can reach 200 mph or higher in some cases. Smoky Skies Across the Country Due to the large amount of wildfire activity, the jet stream winds carried the associated smoke across the continent.  There was so much smoke that even the strongest jet stream winds could not disperse it enough.  That's why the sky has been hazy and the sunrises and sunsets have been colorful in the eastern United States. Smoky Skies Across the Country Closer to the source, areas of the western United States have had to deal with dense smoke (almost looking like fog) and poor air quality. Smoky Skies Across the Country Smoky Skies Across the Country Be sure to share your smoky sky photos and videos with WeatherNation on Facebook and Twitter. - Meteorologist Joe Astolfi
All Weather News
More
Spring Storm for the East Coast Today

Spring Storm for the East Coast Today

A strong low-pressure system in the eastern G

28 Mar 2024 9:00 PM
Weekend Forecast: Rain in Southern California

Weekend Forecast: Rain in Southern California

Yet another system is on tap for the West Coa

28 Mar 2024 8:55 PM
From Snow to 80s in 3 Days for the Southern Plains

From Snow to 80s in 3 Days for the Southern Plains

Get ready for a roller coaster ride of temper

28 Mar 2024 8:50 PM
First Coast to Coast Storm of April Ahead

First Coast to Coast Storm of April Ahead

Spring typically brings active weather to the

28 Mar 2024 7:20 PM
Spring Snow in California Bolsters Snowpack

Spring Snow in California Bolsters Snowpack

Snow is falling again on the West Coast thank

28 Mar 2024 5:30 PM
Easter Forecast: Who's Cracking Open Some Nice Weather

Easter Forecast: Who's Cracking Open Some Nice Weather

Some parts of the country have been dye-ing t

28 Mar 2024 5:25 PM
Total Solar Eclipse: 5 Things you Need to Know

Total Solar Eclipse: 5 Things you Need to Know

A total solar eclipse is coming! Here are the

28 Mar 2024 1:00 PM