DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 0200Z APRIL 30, 2008
UPDATED from earlier this evening. Three broad areas of smoke over the United States include the Upper Midwest, specifically in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, off the coast of California, and over the Gulf Coast region, stretching from south Texas eastward into Florida. These areas of smoke were believed to be primarily leftover smoke from the ongoing fires in Russia. Blowing dust is also observed over the southwestern United States, in Arizona, southern California, and northern Nevada. Florida: In Wakulla County, a heavy smoke plume was seen moving southeast over the Gulf of Mexico, and moderately dense smoke with the same plume extended out 75 miles from the source. Louisiana: A heavy smoke plume in Natchitoches County was observed moving north, with moderately dense smoke extending further to the north into Winn County. Texas/Louisiana: In Shelby County, a heavy smoke plume was seen moving northeast into extreme eastern Louisiana in De Soto and Bossier Counties. In Houston County, a heavy smoke plume was seen moving north, and extended out 15 miles from the source, and then became moderately dense as it moved into Cherokee County. Arkansas: Heavy smoke plumes in Newton and Searcy Counties were moving north and then turned east as winds picked up. The smoke became moderately dense as it continued on its journey eastward into the north-central part of the state. North Dakota/South Central Canada: Numerous fires were detected across North Dakota as well as southeastern Saskatchewan Province and southwestern Manitoba Province of south central Canada. A number of smoke plumes were also visible with the smoke heading off to the north and northwest. The most significant batch of smoke appeared to be moving to the northwest from the fires in Saskatchewan Province. Arizona: In Coconino County, a heavy smoke plume is moving northeast and extends out at least 50 miles. This may be a wildfire as the fire is still burning and producing smoke right at sunset. Nevada: In Washoe County, a moderately dense smoke plume is currently moving east into Churchill County. Along the border of Douglas and Lyon Counties, a moderately dense smoke plume is moving east and extends out at least 50 miles from the source. Nevada/Idaho: A significant episode of blowing dust/sand was visible in satellite imagery during the late afternoon and evening. The relatively thick region of blowing dust was emanating from sources in northwestern and west central Nevada and spreading to the east and northeast across northern Nevada and into southern Idaho and northwestern Utah. EVANS