Midsummer Air Quality Check

 It is almost mid-July, and it is time to check on Northwest air quality.

According to the EPA's AirNow website, all measurement sites are showing good air quality (green dots), as shown below

The high-resolution visible satellite image today shows clear skies as well.

The biggest trouble spot for poor air quality is in Minnesota and neighboring states, with smoke from Canada.

The number of fires is now increasing as the fuels dry out and humans are causing ignitions.   We have been lucky with the relative lack of lightning this year, which results in fewer fires in remote areas.  

The good news is that little lightning is predicted over the next week...and we expect a gradual cool-down.