National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Tracking a Winter Storm; Unusual Early-Season Heat Wave in the Southwest

A major winter storm will organize across the Northern Plains today and then rapidly strengthen as it moves into the Great Lakes on Sunday. Heavy snow and blowing snow are likely to persist over the Great Lakes into Monday night. Dry and gusty winds will produce a critical fire risk across the central/southern Plains. An early heatwave will begin to intensify over the western U.S. into next week. Read More >

This satellite image was taken at 500 pm PDT on 13 Aug 2003. The image clearly shows smoke plumes from several wild fires in British Columbia, western Montana, and one in northwest Washington near Northport. If you look closely, in addition to the large smoke plumes in BC, you'll see several small plumes as well.

Satellite image of wildfires