Why Meteorologists Love Fireworks

Posted: Jul 4, 2012 3:02 PM by Rob Perillo
Updated: Jul 4, 2012 3:25 PM

Meteorologists love fireworks not only for the visual and visceral effects of the pyrotechnics themselves but also for the smoke plumes left in their wake.

It gives us a chance to study the pre-nocturnal inversion lower level boundary layer winds and smoke plume dispersion.

Tonight in Acadiana there will be very light and variable winds at the surface so expect the smoke to persist and spread around where fireworks are displayed.

Winds a few hundred feet above the surface will be light out of the south to southwest so the top of the smoke plumes will likely drift to a northerly direction. These light upper winds may ultimately guide where spent rockets/reports will also drift...a definite key to good and neighborly fireworks discharging!

Enjoy the shows tonight and please exercise caution and make sure the kids are properly supervised.

Happy 4th of July!