Columbus residents experienced a smoky, unpleasant odor in the air over the weekend, as wind carried smoke from West Virginia wildfires into central Ohio.
While wildfire smoke typically impacts areas closer to the fires, strong winds and a weather phenomenon called a “temperature inversion” kept the smoky haze low to the ground, creating a noticeable smell and a haze across Columbus.
The inversion, which happens when colder air is trapped near the surface under a layer of warmer air, acts as a barrier that prevents smoke and pollutants from dispersing upwards. Instead, the smoke from West Virginia settled close to the ground, blanketing Columbus with the scent and effects of the wildfire, especially during Sunday’s rain. When rain mixes with smoky air, it can bring particles down closer to ground level, further concentrating the odor.
This weekend’s smoky air wasn’t the first time wildfire smoke affected Columbus this year.
Last summer, smoke from wildfires in Canada also made its way to Ohio. As wildfires become more common and widespread, Ohio residents may see these smoky conditions more frequently.
While the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) monitored air quality over the weekend, the conditions did not rise to the level of an official air quality alert. However, it’s a stark reminder that Columbus, like many cities across the Midwest, is increasingly impacted by environmental events happening hundreds of miles away.
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For now, the smoky conditions have cleared, but as wildfire season becomes longer and fires increase in frequency, Columbus residents may need to keep a closer eye on air quality levels.
