Sometimes just by looking at the sky, we can all tell something is off. Different.
Today was one of those mornings. It was a clear start to the day yet we ended with with this muddled red sunrise. But why? Without the clouds or low lying fog, the sunrise should have been uneventful.
There we go... the sun is up! The sun won't set until 9 p.m. today! @wcpo #cincywx pic.twitter.com/3kHn4fapIm
— Jennifer Ketchmark (@KetchmarkWCPO) June 3, 2019
As always, we are digging deeper into what's happening in our sky. And today the answer is simple: smoke.
Canadian wildfires are producing a large amount of smoke in Alberta and that is being carried by the jet stream all the way down into the Ohio Valley. And it's not just us, cities across the Midwest and down into the Carolinas are seeing this same smoke. Here's a look at the overall setup (simplified):
How upper level winds carry smoke to the Ohio Valley
Even this afternoon, the blue color of the sky just looks a little off. Almost muted. And that's because the smoke particles in the atmosphere are there, although not as visible when the sun is higher in the sky. Those tiny particles are dulling the color of blue we are seeing right now.
THave you noticed that clear blue sky isn't a bright or vibrant today? There's a reason for it! Smoke higher in the atmosphere. @wcpo #cincywx pic.twitter.com/IlkjpgZJdj
— Jennifer Ketchmark (@KetchmarkWCPO) June 3, 2019
So what does this mean for tonight? It means we *should* see a rather vibrant sunset. And following that, another interesting sunrise on Tuesday. Take a picture and share it with us later today!
