Friday August 22, 2008

DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 1645Z AUGUST 22, 2008

Central Plains (US):
A narrow strip of smoke and SO2 can be seen moving E in a line that
extends from Gage, OK in a 35km wide line to Emporia to western KC,
KS where it melds with a more N to S area that is about 150km wide from
KC across W IA (between Des Moines and Omaha) into E MN from Albert Lee,
MN to the Arrowhead of MN, where it becomes too difficult to distinguish
between weather clouds...though there is some general haziness across
clear areas of N Ontario, Hudson Bay, James Bay, and NW Quebec that may
be associated with SO2 from Kasatochi volcano eruption (this is the 2nd
pass around the globe).

Wyoming into the Northern US Great Plains:
The Gunbarrel fire has become very active again and consequently has
produced quite a bit of smoke that is very dense near the fire but
begins to thin out as it diverges across NE WY.  A pocket of yesterday
evening's output is still moderately dense across central SD into E
ND in 100km wide (E-W) plume that extends from Pierre to Grand Forks
(and most likely further north, but weather clouds obscure the area).

Idaho:
The South Barker fire is producing locally dense smoke within the valleys
of NW Elmore county and exteme E Boise county.  Some thin to moderately
dense smoke can be seen moving above the higher mountain elevations
but below the jet streak in the upper levels...seen by eastward moving
cirrus streaks. This area is moving W to NW along across southern and
eastern Elmore county toward SW/S Boise and Ada counties.

Nevada:
A small plume of thin smoke can be seen near the East Slide Rock Ridge
fire in N Elko county.  This plume is moving north and east.

Tennessee:
A fire in central Cocke county in far eastern TN is producing thin to
moderate smoke that extends NW about 40-50km and is about 10-15km wide.

Gallina




 


Unless otherwise indicated:
  • Areas of smoke are analyzed using GOES-EAST and GOES-WEST Visible satellite imagery.
  • Only a general description of areas of smoke or significant smoke plumes will be analyzed.
  • A quantitative assessment of the density/amount of particulate or the vertical distribution is not included.
  • Widespread cloudiness may prevent the detection of smoke even from significant fires.