Wildfire smoke in Canada leading to extra vivid sunrises, sunsets

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Did you notice the sunrise Monday morning looked extra vivid? That is thanks to wildfire smoke from Alberta Canada, said Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Kirstie Zontini.

The smoke, if thick enough, can get carried into the upper part of the atmosphere and travel across the country with the upper level winds.

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On satellite, it looks like a light, milky-white deck. In the sky, it causes the same milky white color.

During sunrise and sunset, the smoke can produce great color in the sky. During those times of day, light from the sun has to travel a further distance compared to when the sun is above our heads at noon.

The rays travel through more of the atmosphere and the smoke particles scatter the blue light even more efficiently, allowing only deep reds and oranges to reach us.

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The smoke will likely stay high and won’t impact air quality locally. Wildfire smoke can impact the air quality in areas closer to the fire.

Smoke the from Alberta wildfires were reported Monday morning all the way down into the Carolinas.

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