And so it begins...

[HikerGuy]

I was hoping we'd make it through June with clear air.

https://fire.airnow.gov, depressing website, but very useful.

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[Jon Frohlich]

I'm really looking forward to another 4-5 months of not being able to exercise without a pollution mask.

Asthma and smoke are an awesome combination.

[GregMiller]

Blech. Thought I'd noticed that particular color in the sunlight this morning

[dwoodward13]

I like using the below website for smoke forecasts. As far as I know, the AirNow site is just real time info, not predictive, and really not all that high resolution. At each 6 hour interval (00Z, 06Z, 12Z...) they will run it out to 48 hours instead of the usual 18 hour forecast. I use vertically integrated smoke, which seems to capture the hazyiness the best IMO, although any of the options will probably give you a good enough idea. If you filter off the domain to "SW" it will give a more zoomed in view of Colorado.

https://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/HRRRsmoke/

[dude9478]

Yep, nasty up here in evergreen. I prefer purpleair.com to airnow. Easier interface.

[HikerGuy]

A bit of good news, it appears we'll get our first shot of monsoon moisture this weekend. Not great for hiking plans, but boy do we need the rain.

From the NWS forecast discussions:

BOULDER OFFICE - Looking ahead to next weekend, the upper level trough will be over the wrn US as an upper level high remains across the central US. Thus will continue to see SSW flow aloft, over the area, with both the ECMWF and GFS showing a continuation of subtropical moisture, affecting the area. This would allow for a good chc of showers and storms mainly over the higher terrain both days. Highs will continue above normal both days.

GRAND JUNCTION OFFICE - Confidence is improving for a more active precipitation event for Friday into the weekend. An increasingly moist southerly gradient will develop on the back side of the ridge to the east and the Pacific storm system to our west. Ensemble forecasts are still painting the first good monsoonal moisture surge of the 2022 season late this week. PWATs in excess of 1 inch will push into the area on Friday and spread across the CWA this weekend. There is low confidence on the details of this precipitation event and much of this uncertainty is based on the exact track and speed of the Pacific storm system which is forecasted to move northeast across the Great Basin region this weekend. Regardless, this storm system will bring an increased threat of showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area with the possibility of heavy rain which would impact burn scar and other flood-prone areas late Friday into the weekend. Models are still struggling with the evolution of the weekend system and its progression across the intermountain west. However, it does look as though Monday will see lingering precipitation across the higher terrain of western Colorado with widespread showers possible. This forecast will change for sure, but optimism remains high for a drink of water following the hot, dry, windy conditions that started the week.

[XterraRob]

If I have to deal with another smoke screened 4th of July while in the San Juans I'm going to be very pissed.

[douglas]

I'm looking out my office window right now at a very hazy Pike's Peak.

[Barnold41]

I was wondering where that was coming from... hazy af here in Avon. Thanks for sharing those resources!

[greenonion]

If I have to deal with another smoke screened 4th of July while in the San Juans I'm going to be very pissed.

What?

[derekpetrie]

Worst part. It was started by someone lighting their toilet paper on fire…

https://www.azfamily.com/2022/06/13/man ... res-signs/

[kwhit24]

We knew something was up this morning when the sky had a smoky haze. Pics from Bald Mtn and Boreas Mtn off Boreas Pass

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