Indianapolis, Ind. – Even when skies appear calm, wildfire smoke can linger near the ground and affect air quality across central Indiana. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the atmosphere’s vertical structure to determine whether smoke will disperse or remain trapped where people live and breathe.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, one of the primary tools used to evaluate smoke movement is a Skew-T diagram, which displays temperature, dew point, wind speed, and atmospheric stability from the surface upward. The data helps forecasters determine whether smoke will mix out during the day or remain concentrated near ground level.
A key feature meteorologists look for is a temperature inversion, where temperatures increase with height instead of decreasing. That layer acts like a lid, preventing smoke from rising and allowing it to accumulate closer to the surface. The Skew-T also shows wind speeds at different elevations. Light winds, generally around 5 to 10 mph, limit both vertical mixing and horizontal transport, making it more likely that smoke will linger in one area.
The National Weather Service noted that this type of analysis improves forecasts for wildfire smoke impacts, helping emergency managers, health officials, and the public prepare for changing air quality conditions.
Residents, especially those with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions, should monitor local air quality reports if smoke is present. Air quality conditions can change quickly as winds strengthen or atmospheric mixing improves, and additional statements may be issued if smoke concentrations increase.
