Tuesday July 22, 2008

DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 0145Z JULY 23, 2008


Northern California fires:
Moderately dense to dense smoke is currently drifting off to the
east. However, as the plumes move off to the east, they eventually turn
south as the wind changes direction. The San Francisco metro area is
being affected from the fires the most; the smoke is moderately dense
through the Bay Area, and eventually, the smoke moves offshore over the
Pacific Ocean. In addition, lighter smoke from the fires earlier today
has made its way into eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and southern
Canada (British Columbia and Alberta).

Texas:
Along the border of Hamilton and Comanche Counties, a moderately dense
smoke plume is currently advancing east and extends out 50km. Other
agricultural burns are producing light smoke plumes throughout the state,
generally moving off to the northwest.

Canada:
In northern Saskatchewan, north and east of Lake Athabasca, several fires
are emanating moderately dense to dense smoke plumes. Most of these smoke
plumes are moving off to the east. Also, in north-central  Manitoba,
a moderately dense to dense smoke plume is racing off to the northeast
and extends out at least
250km, reaching the western region of Hudson Bay. In the Northwest
Territories south of the Great Slave Lake, several fires are producing
moderately dense to dense smoke. Most of these plumes are moving off to
the east.


RCE

 


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.