Saturday, September 5, 2009

Hazy-Red Sunrises/Sunsets - Canadian Fires to Blame


The luxurious Labor Day weekend continues. Not much to report, I hope you are enjoying it. How many MN State Fairs/Labor Day weekends can you remember that were rain free? Copy and paste weather forecasts will continue through at least Tuesday. No worries if you have the family reunion BBQ planned or are seeking out that pork chop on a stick, our next best chance of rain doesn't come until midweek. If you've been outside over the past few days, you may have noticed the orangish-red sunrises and sunsets. I was able to capture images from Saturday morning's sunrise over the KMSP Airport and the sunset from the northwest 'burbs.

Here's Sunrise

Here's Sunset
A high resolution MODIS satellite image shows the evidence of smoke drifting overhead. Notice the, thin, light grayish-blue wisps of clouds near Lake Superior. These are smoke plumes, originating from forest fires in Canada.


NOAA's Satellite and Information Service graphic that I pieced together shows the analyzed smoke from space (green color) and the analyzed fires from satellites that are creating the plumes.


The "Station" wildfire near Los Angeles California is still pretty bad, but firefighters are gaining. Upper level winds are not favorable for us here in the Midwest to see the smoke plumes from those fires, but take a look at the image below and this time lapse of the fire - INCREDIBLE!! (Courtesy www.brandonriza.com)


Todd's Outlook

Today: Hazy sun, a bit more humidity. High: 81

Tonight: Mostly clear, moonlit skies. Low: 58

Monday (Labor Day): Warm sun, lake & pool-worthy. High: 82

Tuesday: Lingering sun, still dry. High: 81

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, few showers, possible thunder. High: 78

Thursday: Leftover shower, more clouds than sun, cooler. High: 75

Friday: Partly cloudy and cooler. High 75

Saturday: Slight chance of a spotty shower or storm. High 73

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