Dense Smoke — Campbell, South Dakota

2023-05-17 · Campbell, South Dakota

Wider weather episode

Wildfires in northwest Canada produced copious amounts of smoke which followed a cold front down into the Dakotas on May 17th and 18th. The visibility at Mobridge fell to 1/4 mile for an hour and a half on the afternoon of the 17th, and was impacted to some extent for a total of 21 hours. The visibility at Pierre was reduced for a total of 24 hour with a visibility down to a half mile. The visibility in Aberdeen fell to 3/4 of a mile and had visibility reductions for over 20 hours. Watertown had reductions down to a mile and overall visibility was reduced for a total of 18 hours. Measured daily Air Quality Index values ranged between 199 in Pierre, 162 at Aberdeen and 160 in Watertown on May 18th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1096474. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.