A cold front brings more than just falling temperatures today

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - While I like my pork butts smoked, not so much the air I breathe. As we once again deal with the awful Canadian wildfire smoke back in our area. How does it get here and when will it scoot on out? You may know by now, Canada is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in a long time. Thanks to upper level winds on the east side of a high pressure ridge, smoke is being transported south into our area. Now the smoke brought in by upper level winds usually will stay well above the ground making for hazy days and colorful sunsets. However, when a cold front passes through, high pressure builds in behind it. This leads not only to falling temperatures but also sinking air. According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, behind a cold front that past through 24 hours ago, smoke has fallen from the upper troposphere, this is lower part of the atmosphere near the earth causing visibility and health issues for those susceptible. This has prompted the DHHS to issue a smoke advisory through tomorrow. Mike Moritz, the warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS says, “The forecasts are most accurate within one to two days. After that it’s a little bit more of an estimate as to where that smoke may go. We’re hoping for some rain later in the weekend and that’s usually a good way to clear out the smoke in the atmosphere.” Moritz goes on to say it’s possible it will take a few days for the smoke to clear out and the rain forecasted for this weekend will help as well. Definitely could use the rain. Not just to wash that gray right out of the air, but to water the grass as things have been dry as of late.

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