Where There's Smoke, There's Fire...

While looking around the globe yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the smoke plume over parts of South America.  It was obvious they are having many large fires.  While watching John Snell on FOX 8 this morning, he had a story regarding the fires and how many are intentionally set.

So I thought I'd look for the fires that have been reported burning over the western U.S..  After much searching I found 2.  One was over western Colorado with the other in northern California. 

What stood out to me was how much smaller the fires were in the U.S. compared to South America.   Based on how the American press covers these fires, one would think we are far worse when in reality, It's South America that is burning.

FYI...tonight is the best night to view the annual Perseid meteor shower.  As the above picture shows, look to the Northeast around 11 PM when the rate could be one every minute.

We still have no named system to track in the Tropics, however, NHC has increased the chances for development for the low off of Africa to 60%.  I'll have an update later this afternoon.

Finally, look at this neat satellite view from 11 AM showing clouds bubbling up over land with some lingering T-Storms over water east of St. Bernard.   Chances for rain today will be greater South of Lake P. and they will be slow movers.  Tropical downpours can easily dump 1-2"+ in an hour while a neighborhood a couple of blocks away gets nothing.  We know it as Summer in the South.  Stay tuned!