According to report in New York Times, the source of this unexpected phenomenon wildfire smoke originating from massive blazes near the Hudson Bay in Canada.
The journey of this wildfire smoke to Florida is unconventional. High-pressure systems moving through the Tennessee River Valley played a crucial role in transporting the smoke southward from its Canadian origins.
The direct path of this smoky plume, propelled by north and northeasterly winds from the area of high pressure, led to some of the heaviest concentrations of smoke and a spike in unhealthy air quality in Florida. In fact, the state briefly claimed the unenviable title of having the worst air quality in the entire country due to this influx of smoke, NYT reported.
Brett Anderson, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, expressed his surprise at the smoke’s long journey from fires burning in British Columbia and Alberta, stating, “It’s very unusual. I started seeing it going south, and I didn’t think it would get to Florida, but it maintained itself.”
Meteorologist Robert Garcia of the National Weather Service attributed some of the early Tuesday haze to an overnight inversion—a meteorological phenomenon where the ground cools more rapidly than the air above it—contributing to the smoky conditions.
The impact of these wildfires isn’t limited to Florida or even the United States. Shane Thompson, the minister of environment and climate change for the Northwest Territories in Canada, emphasized the need for a proactive approach in managing these fires until snowfall, acknowledging the likelihood of ongoing challenges.
Despite winds that should have aided in clearing the skies along Florida’s coast, the smoke persisted, leading to reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality.
AirNow, a federal agency responsible for monitoring air quality, advised limiting outdoor activities, particularly for individuals with respiratory sensitivities like asthma, as the air quality index fluctuated from moderate (indicated in yellow) to unhealthy (highlighted in red) across the state.
Areas in Central Florida and along Interstates 95 and 4 experienced significant reductions in visibility, with distances often limited to three to five miles due to the smoke plume.
The smoke’s presence was expected to linger over Florida into early Wednesday.