I thought the smoke was bad here. From local meteorological guru Cliff Mass:
Air Quality is Worse In Portland, Oregon Than In Beijing
Portland has been hit by one of the worst air quality events in recent history, with levels of particulates far exceeding those in Beijing.
I just got off the phone from someone in Portland...the air smells like wood smoke, visibility is heavily reduced, and the sun's rays weak and ineffective. It is something out of a post-apocalyptic disaster world.
Here are the amazing numbers. Let's look at the concentration of PM2.5, small particles capable of pushing deep into your lungs. Nasty stuff. EPA and air quality agencies put out strident warnings when this gets to 100 (Unhealthy levels!) The current number in Portland is 229! Very, very bad.
Much more at the site - the reason?
One reason Portland and vicinity is being hit so hard is because of the Columbia Gorge. There is easterly flow in the Gorge, so some of the eastern Washington gunk is coming down the Gorge at low levels.
The smoke is bad here too - definite smell in the air and looking across 500 feet of pasture to a line of trees, I can see the haze.
We need rain - lots and lots of rain.
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