Ask a private pilot applicant what kind of weather phenomenon generates low visibility and instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, chances are you’ll hear “low clouds and fog” before you hear “smoke.” It is the latter, however, that’s putting a damper on many training and recreational flights on the east coast and parts of the midwest this week. In this case, the smoke is coming from wildfires in Canada and drifting southward.
According to the New York Times and NBC, residents of the smoke-impacted areas are being warned that the conditions are hazardous for all age groups, and advised to stay indoors and wear masks outdoors. A check of the TAFs and METARs in all states bordering Canada showed a fair amount of FU (smoke) and HZ (haze) in the reports. More disquieting were the predictions of thunderstorm activity in several states—bringing the threat of more wildfires.
