NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a unique, multi-layered blue haze on Pluto that influences its climate, making it a new kind of climate in our solar system. This haze, composed of complex organic molecules, absorbs sunlight and cools the atmosphere, explaining Pluto's unexpectedly low temperatures. The findings could have implications for understanding other hazy celestial bodies and Earth's early climate.
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists discovered a unique, multi-layered haze on Pluto that influences its climate, challenging previous assumptions and suggesting similar phenomena could exist on other celestial bodies and even offer insights into Earth's early climate.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a hazy layer over Pluto that cools its atmosphere and helps methane escape, providing new insights into the dwarf planet's atmospheric dynamics and composition, and revealing similarities to hazes on Titan and early Earth.
A study using data from NASA's New Horizons and the James Webb Space Telescope confirms that haze particles in Pluto's atmosphere play a significant role in cooling it, validating a controversial hypothesis and offering insights into extreme atmospheric phenomena and early Earth conditions.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope confirmed a hypothesis that Pluto's haze particles control its atmospheric heat balance, supporting earlier predictions and revealing new insights into its atmospheric chemistry and surface processes, with implications for understanding other celestial bodies and early Earth conditions.
A large Sahara dust cloud is covering the Caribbean and heading towards the U.S., causing hazy skies and health warnings, with the highest concentration this year and potential impacts on air quality and sunlight.
Hazy weather continues to blanket Beijing and parts of north China, with poor atmospheric diffusion and weak cold air currents contributing to the smog. Visibility in Beijing dropped to less than 500 meters, while heavy winter fog further reduced visibility in Hebei province and Tianjin city. Moderate to heavy air pollution is expected in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area until Thursday. Unusually warm temperatures, breaking records in some cities, are expected to persist until Thursday when cold air is forecasted to push temperatures lower.
Indonesia's environment minister defended the country's efforts to combat forest fires and haze, stating that they are using water bombing from helicopters and cloud seeding to control the fires. Malaysia had urged Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations to take action against the worsening air quality caused by slash-and-burn land clearing for plantations. However, the Indonesian minister denied that hazardous haze was crossing borders and stated that no haze has been detected heading towards Malaysia. Forest fires are reportedly on the decline in Sumatra and Borneo. ASEAN members have pledged to phase out crop burning and take collective action to minimize its adverse environmental and health impacts.
Portland, Oregon is expected to experience a hot and hazy weekend with temperatures reaching the mid-90s before cooling off. Relief is expected on Sunday night with a 20% chance of showers, increasing to 80% on Tuesday. High temperatures will dip into the 80s and 70s for the rest of the week.
The comfortable warmth of today will be replaced by hotter and slightly muggier air on Sunday, with temperatures aiming for 90 degrees to the low 90s. While wildfire smoke may cause some haze in the sky, it won't affect sunburn chances or skin cancer risk. Near-surface smoke causing air-quality problems is currently minimal, but a thicker band of suspended smoke is expected to move in tonight and into midday Sunday. However, air-quality projections indicate only moderate levels of pollution at worst.
The Canadian wildfire smoke will dissipate as winds shift, making way for showers and storms later today and tomorrow. While the Southern Plains and Southwest US continue to experience record heat, Maryland will see cooler temperatures and scattered showers. The Maryland Trek 10 event is set to begin on Sunday, and the weather updates will be shorter due to time constraints. Regular summer weather will return over the weekend, with heat and humidity making a comeback on Monday.
The D.C.-area can expect warm sunshine, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures as August begins. However, there may be some haze due to wildfire smoke. Humidity will increase by Thursday, bringing a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, but temperatures will remain below 90 degrees. The weekend will see partly to mostly sunny skies with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures in the mid-80s to near 90.
Hazy skies and reduced air quality from Canadian wildfires will continue to affect Southeast Michigan through Monday, with a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Air quality is expected to improve by Monday night as a new air mass moves in, bringing cooler temperatures. People sensitive to compromised air quality, especially children, seniors, and those with respiratory conditions, are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed.
Air quality in Michigan, particularly in Lansing, remains unhealthy due to smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires, with readings as high as 166 on the AirNow website. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has declared "action days" this week, advising people to limit outdoor activities. The smoke and haze are also affecting other parts of Michigan, including Detroit, Ypsilanti, Flint, and Saginaw. The air quality is expected to fluctuate until a strong front and change in wind direction occur.
Smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires continue to affect air quality in Chicago, prompting an air pollution action day and the closure of beaches in Evanston. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 5 p.m., with a risk of damaging winds, hail, and possible tornadoes in parts of Illinois and Indiana. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected throughout the day, with concerns about a line of storms moving from southern Iowa into western Illinois. The DuPage County Health Department is providing KN95 masks to residents.
