The tri-state region, along with much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, continues to choke this week from prolonged exposure to dense smoke from Quebec, Canada.

It is the result of a “perfect storm” of phenomena coming together in the wrong place and at the wrong time.

First of all, there are the fires themselves. They’re producing copious amounts of smoke during one of the worst wildfire seasons Canada has ever seen. Second, atmospheric wind patterns remained stable throughout the week. And they are in a position to send smoke directly into our backyard every day.

The meteorological phenomenon responsible for this unfortunate, constant wind flow is called the Omega Block; A high-pressure system in the middle of North America, surrounded by low-pressure centers on both coasts.

This results in a highly twisted jet stream wind flow resembling the Greek letter Omega, which effectively “blocks” the movement of these ups and downs.

Storm Team 4

Storm Team 4

Storm Team 4

In the northeast, a nearly stationary low pressure system over northeastern New York was perfectly positioned to funnel Quebec wildfire smoke directly into our backyard. Smoke continues to spread as the fires rage, continuing to flow south, directly towards us, day after day.

You may have noticed that the smoke is thickest in the afternoon and evening this week. This is not a figment of your imagination. This is not a coincidence.

Much of the smoke is transported here from Canada via upper-level winds several thousand meters above the ground. The atmosphere becomes unstable as surface temperatures increase in the afternoon hours. Warmer, more mobile air bubbles near the ground begin to rise like a hot air balloon. At the same time, some of the smoky air drifts downward to fill the space left behind. This vertical mixing in the atmosphere transmits smoke down to ground level, causing air quality levels to decrease.

As temperatures drop overnight, the atmosphere stabilizes and vertical mixing ceases, giving surface plumes a chance to disperse. The process happens again the next afternoon.

Storm Team 4

Storm Team 4

Storm Team 4

We will be dealing with smoke until our fires are out or the atmospheric wind patterns change. It looks like the latter will finally happen by the end of this week. Air quality advisories will continue through Thursday, but significant improvements are likely by Friday and Saturday as prevailing winds move smoke away from the tri-state area.