Spectacular Minnesota Sunsets Expected This Week Due To Wildfire Smoke

It's not your imagination if you think sunsets and for that matter sunrises, this week are prettier than a typical sunrise or sunset. Wildfire smoke from the Canadian wildfires is set to 'invade' this week, and the addition of smoke to the atmosphere will create some really incredible occurrences.

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities stated this morning on social media that it expects the smoke to stay 'aloft' which means that it will be high enough where it won't have too much effect on surface air quality.

Smoke will work its way back into our area through today and last into mid week, but it is expected to remain aloft and not impact surface air quality. - Twin Cities National Weather Service

 

So why does wildfire smoke, or just smoke, make the sunrises and sunsets 'better' than normal ones? Well, it has to deal with the colors at sunset, oranges and reds, and the wavelength that they travel on.

Reds and orange light have longer wavelengths than blue or violet colors, and that slightly longer wavelength when it travels through particles like smoke, causes them to bend a little bit more, causing more striking colors than 'normal' sunsets or sunrises. You can learn more about the science behind the colors and smoke here.