National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat Continues Across the Central and Western U.S.; Tracking Hazardous Weather Across the Northern U.S.

Early-season record warmth will persist across portions of the western and central U.S. through mid week, with high temperatures approaching 90 degrees from Texas to the Ohio Valley. Rain and mountain snow are possible across the Pacific Northwest Wednesday, with Severe Thunderstorms and wintry weather expected across the Northeast Thursday and Friday. Read More >

Smoke dispersal is categorized by using the Ventilation Rate. Ventilation Rate forecasts for a specific point can be found using the Fire Weather Dashboard. Click a spot on the map and scroll down to find daily and hourly Ventilation Rate values for the next few days.

 

Fire Weather Dashboard

 

The link above is configured to display smoke dispersal categories as shown here:

 

  Smoke Dispersal Vent. Rate, knot-feet (x1000)
     Excellent             150 or greater
     Very Good 100 to 149.99
     Good 60 to 99.99
     Fair 40 to 59.99
     Poor less than 40

 

Ventilation Rate = Transport Wind (kts) Mixing Height (ft)