Forecast Discussion

Localized Code Red and Code Orange fine particulate concentrations are likely occurring across southwestern NC as a result of wildfire activity in several counties. Code Yellow conditions are prevalent across the rest of the state today.

On Tuesday, no major changes to the prevailing weather pattern warrants a continuation of the Code RED Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates for Cherokee, Clay and Macon counties, and a Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates for Graham, Swain, Jackson, Transylvania and Henderson Counties including the Southern Ridge Tops. At least three wildfires in this region continue to burn based on the most recent U.S. Forest Service updates. We expect to continue to see PM2.5 values increasing overnight under strong temperature inversions and some amount of dispersion into the afternoon hours.

This same scenario will be present to some degree through Thursday. As previously stated, we will continue to monitor for additional fires, along with evaluating the status of the existing fires, and update the forecast as warranted. Code Yellow conditions can be expected across the rest of the state through this period as smoke is transported over the southeast region.