Dense Smoke — Spink, South Dakota

2023-09-05 · Spink, South Dakota

Wider weather episode

Wildfires in northwest Canada produced copious amounts of smoke which followed a low pressure system down into the Dakotas on September 5th, and lingered into the day of the 6th. The combination of smoke and light rainfall resulted in visibility falling to as low as 1/4 mile in Redfield, 3/4 miles in Britton, 1 and 1/4 of a mile in Mobridge and Milbank, 1 1/2 miles in Pierre and Aberdeen, and 2 miles in Watertown. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for these sites hit the unhealthy category, with an AQI of 166 in Aberdeen, 161 in Watertown and 170 in Pierre. Mobridge and Pierre recorded reduced visibility for around 36 hours, while stations in northeast South Dakota recorded reduced visibility for around 24 hours.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1118677. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.