DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 0230Z May 3, 2011
Gulf of Mexico: There remains a large area of light, remnant smoke throughout the western Gulf of Mexico and into the northern and northeastern portion of the Gulf in this evening's satellite imagery. More moderately dense smoke can be seen in a band just off the coast of Texas along the frontal boundary in that region. This smoke is from the many agricultural burns through Mexico and Central America. Another area of moderately dense smoke can be seen traveling northward near the Florida Panhandle. This is most likely from the wildfire that has been burning in southern Florida over the past few days. Blowing Dust/Sand Baja California/Gulf of California: Many areas of blowing dust and/or sand can be seen moving westward off the Baja California and off the coast of Sonora this evening. Belge THE FORMAT OF THIS TEXT PRODUCT IS BEING MODIFIED. IT WILL NO LONGER DESCRIBE THE VARIOUS PLUMES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVE FIRES. THESE PLUMES ARE DEPICTED IN VARIOUS GRAPHIC FORMATS ON OUR WEB SITE: JPEG: http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/ml/land/hms.html GIS: http://www.firedetect.noaa.gov/viewer.htm KML: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/FIRE/kml.html THIS TEXT PRODUCT WILL CONTINUE TO DESCRIBE SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF SMOKE WHICH HAVE BECOME DETACHED FROM AND DRIFTED SOME DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE SOURCE FIRE, TYPICALLY OVER THE COURSE OF ONE OR MORE DAYS. IT WILL ALSO STILL INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF BLOWING DUST. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THESE CHANGES OR THE SMOKE TEXT PRODUCT IN GENERAL SHOULD BE SENT TO SSDFireTeam@noaa.gov