Bone Dry in the Eastern US

November 12, 2001

S2001311173316_l1a_hnsg_easternus

Provided by: NASA/GSFC, ORBIMAGE, SeaWiFS Project
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster

This SeaWiFS satellite image, taken on November 7, shows just why it has been dry as a bone in the eastern US - there's a paucity of clouds in just those areas that have been the driest during the past 6 weeks. It has been especially dry in the Middle Atlantic states and in parts of the Southeast and the Ohio Valley. The lack of rain, and warm, dry weather poses a serious threat for wildfires - warm winds suck out what little liquid that remains in the leaves. On the photo above, smoke from forest fires may be visible over the West Virginia and Kentucky border, and a plume of smoke (aligned east to west) is also visible to the north of Lake Huron in Ontario. Note the turquoise colored waters near Cuba and the Bahamas. The shallow water is still turbid two days after Hurricane Michelle's unwanted visit on November 5.

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