WEATHER

Expect hazy skies and moderately unhealthy air for a few days

Sep 9, 2019, 6:25 PM | Updated: 7:24 pm

(Credit: Paul Nelson)...

(Credit: Paul Nelson)

(Credit: Paul Nelson)

WASATCH FRONT – Shouldn’t the air be cleaner, today? The Department of Environmental Quality says the air above Utah could be moderately unhealthy for the next few days, even after strong storms last Sunday.  We can thank wildfires in Utah and Nevada for that.

Meteorologists say heavy rain, like the kind that hit many portions of the Wasatch Front this weekend, normally do a good job in cleaning the haze out of the sky.

However, National Weather Service Meteorologist Charlotte Dewey says, “We had the rain to scrub the air from the previous fires, but, now we have a new fire.  So, we need rain to clean it again.”

Lightning sparked two blazes in central Utah and the NWS is using their satellites to track where the smoke is headed.  Dewey says the smoke is combining with that of wildfires in the southern portion of the state and one fire from neighboring Nevada.

She says, “It’ll come from the southwest into central Utah, northern Utah and points east.”

While the air will look gray and messy for a few days, Dewey says there’s a reason to be optimistic that it won’t be too unhealthy.

“The smoke is really not going to penetrate too far down to the surface, but we’ll see it and smell it,” she says.

Dewey says a storm coming in Tuesday into Wednesday should clear the air out again, but, until then, expect the skies to stay dirty.

“With this system coming, the winds are going to be quite strong,” she says, adding, “We’ll start seeing gusty winds today and even stronger winds tomorrow.  That’s really going to drive the smoke,” Dewey says.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Weather

Thunderstorms this weekend...

Aimee Cobabe

Thunderstorms coming to Utah, expected to last all weekend

Thunderstorms are expected to move into the Beehive State tomorrow and last all weekend long. None expected to be severe.

11 months ago

The Great Salt Lake on Wednesday. Utah researchers say the lake may end up gaining 6 feet between N...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Record snowpack likely adds 2 years to Great Salt Lake’s long-term outlook, experts say

When taking into account the typical summer loss, he projects that the lake will be about 4,192.5 feet to 4,193 feet by the end of the year, close to current levels.

11 months ago

riverbanks...

Lindsay Aerts

Utahns breath sigh of relief on major flood risk, for now

Some relief is here when it comes to flood risk with cooler temperatures expected over the next week. But Utah's rivers are certainly not out of the woods.

11 months ago

"Stream Team" (KSL-TV)...

Dan Rascon, KSL-TV

Salt Lake City crews trade in desk work for 24/7 flood watch

The crews come from the Salt Lake City Public Utilities department and are usually working office jobs not walking along river banks.

11 months ago

The old city od Jerusalem on March 26, 2023. (Ben Winslow / FOX 13 NEWS)...

Heather May and Ben Winslow, Great Salt Lake Collaborative

Why did Utah leaders go to Israel?

Israel is one of the driest countries in the world. The country went from water scarcity to water surplus, what can Utah learn?

11 months ago

Ruth's Diner in Emigration Canyon has begun to experience some flooding, however, they remain open ...

SHARA PARK KSLTV.com

National Weather Service issues flood warning for Emigration Creek

The National Weather Service to issue a flood warning through Thursday as Emigration Creek swelled and jumped it's bed.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Expect hazy skies and moderately unhealthy air for a few days