A killer ‘super-fog’ will continue to smother parts of the United States until the end of the month, trapped under a giant pressure dome.
Thick mist mixed with smoke from marsh fires triggered a deadly pile-up near New Orleans yesterday killing seven people.
Toxic traffic fumes will add to the misery as south-eastern states brace for another week of the stubborn pea-souper.
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Jim Dale, US weather correspondent, and senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “High pressure will move in off the Atlantic and this is going to act like a lid leading to a large region of slow-moving air which will keep this fog in place.
“Humidity and lack of wind will help fog to build, and added to this, the region is very busy with traffic, so pollution and traffic fumes will contribute to the problem.
“This fog is not going to move quickly, and there are likely to be problems in the region until the end of the month.”
The super-fog is being blamed for a near 160-car pile-up in New Orleans which yesterday killed at least seven people.
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Jim Dale, US weather correspondent, and senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: 'High pressure will move in off the Atlantic and this is going to act like a lid leading to a large region of slow-moving air which will keep this fog in place'
New Orleans National Weather Service
Vehicles were reported to have caught fire before being abandoned on the road as fog swamped the region.
Poor visibility caused multiple collisions, officials say, while around 100 people were stranded in the mist.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) said the ‘super-fog’ is likely to return later this week, blaming smoke and moisture mixing with cold air.
So-called ‘radiation fog’ will be the culprit across south-eastern regions, triggered when ground heat radiates overnight causing humidity in the air to condense.
Thick mist mixed with smoke from marsh fires triggered a deadly pile-up near New Orleans yesterday killing seven people
Reuters
Mr Dale said: “In the south, because of the humidity, and the stagnant air, we are going to see more of a problem with radiation fog.
“With clear skies under high pressure, moisture will condense leading to fog formation.
“However, to the northwest, we are expecting to see advection fog, which will move in off the Pacific.
“Here, it is the wind which will help move in the fog, while further south, it is the lack of wind which will be the issue.”
The super-fog was worsened by smoke from marsh fires which have been burning across Louisiana since summer.
The region’s southern swampland has been worst hit with some residential areas choked by noxious smoke.
A pile-up of more than 150 vehicles happened as smoke from the fires combined with fog to diminish visibility.
Reuters
Weather Channel meteorologist Domenica Davis said: “Multiple marsh fires have been burning in Louisiana since at least August, occasionally sending foul-smelling peat smoke across neighbourhoods and roads near New Orleans.
“A pile-up of more than 150 vehicles happened as smoke from the fires combined with fog to diminish visibility.
“The fires have been reinvigorated by strong winds multiple times since they were sparked this summer, forcing the closure of some roads.”
The New Orleans National Weather Service warned drivers to take extra care when fog builds over roads.
A spokesman said: “The combination of smoke, light winds and abundant moisture could cause dense fog and dangerous driving conditions.
“Use low beams and give yourself plenty of time.”