Canadian Wildfire Smoke Reaches Boston as High-Altitude Plume Limits Health Risk for 24-48 Hours
Updated
Updated · WBUR News · Jul 14
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Reaches Boston as High-Altitude Plume Limits Health Risk for 24-48 Hours
3 articles · Updated · WBUR News · Jul 14
Summary
Boston is expected to see orange, milky and hazy skies over the next couple of days as wildfire smoke streams into New England from northern Minnesota and Ontario.
Most of the plume is staying miles above the ground, so forecasters do not expect a major hit to surface air quality or respiratory health, though some mixing could briefly bring a smoky smell within 24-48 hours.
That elevated smoke layer can shave a few degrees off afternoon temperatures and reduce atmospheric instability, potentially capping storm development.
The same particles that dull daytime skies should intensify red and orange wavelengths at dusk, setting up especially vivid sunsets Tuesday and Wednesday.
The plume follows a jet-stream pattern after hot, dry and windy conditions drove explosive fire growth in Minnesota and Ontario, where broader smoke has already produced severe air-quality problems elsewhere in the region.