SAN ANTONIO – Surface smoke is funneling up through Texas courtesy of agricultural burning in Mexico.
KEY POINTS:
- Small dip in air quality expected
- Nothing unusual -- this happens every year
- Colorful sunrises and sunsets
- Agricultural burning in Mexico should end around June
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE HAZE?
The haze is a combination of thick humidity, low clouds, and smoke.
Agricultural burning takes place every year in Mexico, as it helps enhance crops and grasses for pasture. However, the smoke can also help degrade air quality.
AIR QUALITY
For the most part, there will only be a small dip in air quality from the perfect “good” category to the “moderate” category. Occasionally, if the smoke is really high, or if it is very humid, the air could become “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” These are folks who are elderly or have lung disorders. We will let you know if air quality dips below “moderate” levels.
COLORFUL SUNRISES/SUNSETS
The most noticeable impact of the agricultural smoke will be more colorful sunrises and sunsets. The tiny smoke particles in the air react with sunlight to great beautiful hues of yellow and orange early and late in the day.
WHEN WILL THE SMOKE END?
At least some smoke is expected to hang around for about a month, with higher concentrations when there is a southerly wind combining with thick humidity. The burning should wind down soon, however, with growing season taking over from June to October.
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