Hazy Days In Summer—What's The Cause? - Aprilaire

< Back to Blog What Is Haze? Why Hazy Weather Can Lead to Dangerous Air Quality Alerts 2 minute read

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What is haze? You may often hear meteorologists refer to levels of visibility during their forecasts. What they are describing is how far away you can be from something (a person, building, etc.) outside and still see it clearly.

Typically, visibility is measured by airports and weather stations to assess threats to travel safety, forecast related impacts, and help predict incoming weather patterns. But in the summertime, reduced visibility due to hazy weather can not only impact navigation, but our health as well as air quality alerts show.

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What Is Haze? Common Causes of Hazy Weather

Pollution

How can pollution lead to hazy weather and trigger air quality alerts? Summer is prime travel season, whether by airplane or automobile. In general, these modes of transportation produce large amounts of airborne pollution—which you may notice around cities or other largely populated areas—but when travel increases, so do the pollutants.

The increase in particulate matter, when combined with other sources of pollution, scatters the sun’s light and ultimately, creates hazy weather and lower visibility. But this doesn’t just impact the air outside our homes! With the indoor air often five times more polluted than outdoor air, this increase in pollution can harm your home and health, too. To prevent polluted air from making its way indoors, Indoor Air Quality solutions and Healthy Air are essential!

Wildfires

Wildfire season impacts more than just these five at-risk states. With large amounts of smoke traveling both in areas directly impacted by the fire and in places hundreds of miles away, wind that carries smoke can bring hazy weather and reduced visibility to your area. Typically, when hazy weather is a result of wildfires, the sky will take on strange colors or have a general gray haze. Plus, when your air is hazy, you may smell smoke when you walk outside and even feel the impact inside.

Lacking Precipitation

Many areas in the United States experience less precipitation in the summer. Since rainfall typically helps clear pollution, particulate matter, and allergens from our air, rainy days are key for avoiding hazy weather and poor visibility. Long, humid days and more direct sunlight make it easier for the sky to hold onto particulate matter, creating that hazy weather.

High Humidity

Speaking of hot, humid days, did you know that particulate matter is more likely to stay in the air longer, causing reduced visibility, when humidity levels spike? Paired with winds that stir up pollution, increased moisture in the air holds particulate matter aloft for several days—no wonder it feels as if that hazy weather won’t quit! Generally, hazy weather can decrease on days with moderate temperatures and wind, but the high humidity of summer can still remain a threat, especially if it gets into your home. Protecting your home and family is easy with an AprilAire Whole-House Dehumidifier.

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