Smoke from major wildfires burning thousands of miles away in the Pacific Northwest is expected to reach Florida on Monday, according to meteorologists.
Why it matters: The smoke is not expected to pose a significant health concern in Florida, but some residents may notice hazy skies or even catch a faint smell of smoke.
The latest:
- Large wildfires in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest are sending smoke high into the atmosphere.
- A strong heat dome over the Plains is steering that smoke east into the Great Lakes before pushing it south into the Southeast.
- By the time the smoke reaches Florida, it is expected to be thin, diffuse and mostly aloft.
The big picture:
- Weather patterns can transport wildfire smoke thousands of miles from its source.
- Similar long-distance smoke events have occurred in recent years, carrying smoke across much of North America.
What to expect:
- Slightly hazy skies are possible in some areas.
- Some people may notice a faint smoky odor despite the fires being thousands of miles away.
- No widespread air quality concerns are expected in Florida from this event.
Bottom line: Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest is expected to drift over Florida on Monday, serving as a reminder of how weather systems can carry smoke across the country. While a little haze or the smell of smoke is possible, the smoke is forecast to remain mostly high above the ground and is not expected to create significant impacts.
