The smoky haze blanketing the Chilkat Valley last week was the result of forest fires burning 3,500 miles away in Siberia.
The phenomenon occurred because two weather elements came together at the right moment—upper-level wind direction and a high-pressure system in Haines, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) meteorologist Caleb Cravens.
The smoke traveled to Haines via the jet stream, wind located 30,000-50,000 feet above the earth’s surface.
“Upper-level winds are the strongest…