Smoke from Canada wildfires, lack of wind leads to poor Des Moines air quality

The National Weather Service reports that the cause of today's smoky skies in Des Moines is still mostly unknown.

Originally suspected to be caused by burning driftwood near Saylorville Lake, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the cause is most likely related to wildfires in Canada, a lack of wind in Iowa and volatile organic compounds.

Volatile organic compounds are compounds that are emitted as gases, with high vapor pressure and low water solubility. The Iowa DNR also confirmed that lingering gasses from Canadian wildfires could be contributing to hazy skies and poor air quality.

Database: Check the current air quality conditions

Temperature inversion, a weather process that causes air temperatures to increase with height, is contributing to the trapped smoke in the area. Lack of wind in Iowa, as low as six miles per hour today, are also leading to trapped smoke.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has impacted Iowa's air quality for the past several days, causing various ozone levels in the state to measure at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, according to a news release from the Iowa DNR News.

Air quality advisory: Des Moines air quality could remain poor through Wednesday evening

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued an air quality advisory, as the air quality index has reached orange values, indicating sensitive groups could be affected.

Individuals with asthma, respiratory difficulties or heart disease, the elderly, children and pregnant women are all likely to suffer health effects from smoke particulates, according to the DNR. These groups are recommended to limit time outdoors while air quality conditions remain at unhealthy levels.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Air quality poor in Des Moines due to smoke from Canadian wildfires