Exclusive "MWN Smoke Zone" forecast for 4th of July fireworks

Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday, we produced our first "MWN Smoke Zone" forecasts and got some positive feedback, so we thought we'd do it again for tonight's shows downtown and in Germantown.  Overall, the weather tonight should be great for July 4th, though maybe not quite as comfortable as last night. Humidity will be a little higher and temps a few degrees warmer, but we won't come anywhere close to the 100-degree reading of last July 4th this afternoon!  There is a low chance of a shower around late this afternoon and early evening, but most should be gone by 9pm.

Tonight's Smoke Zone forecasts are based on a light east to east-southeast wind at about 5-7 mph. There could be a slight southeast wind that could push the smoke zones slightly farther north than indicated.  Smoke from fireworks can be difficult to breathe for folks with asthma or other breathing conditions and it's an annoyance for everyone else! Here's what to expect tonight in Germantown and downtown.

Germantown

Fireworks are shot from the parking lot in front of Germantown Centre on Exeter. Smoke should drift across Germantown Centre itself and probably the northern half or so of Municipal Park, then into residential areas west of Germantown Road between Neshoba Rd and Farmington Blvd. See the map below for a rough estimate of where smoke should travel.

Downtown Memphis

Two fireworks displays will occur downtown tonight, one after the Memphis Redbirds game concludes at AutoZone Park around 9pm and another on Mud Island around 10pm. In the case of Mud Island, smoke should cause very little problem for visitors, as it will blow west across the southern tip of the island over the river and into AR.  Low-level smoke from Redbirds fireworks may tend to linger a bit in the stadium as wind swirls slightly, however above a few hundred feet, it will blow towards the 3rd base side of the stands and across downtown, generally north and south of Union Avenue by a few blocks either way, before likely moving right over the fireworks site on Mud Island. A slight southeast wind would move it overhead the Mud Island Riverpark itself. See the map below for a rough estimate of where smoke should travel from both displays.

Happy Independence Day, be safe, and enjoy the celebrations!

----
Follow MWN on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
Visit MemphisWeather.net on the web or m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone.
Download our iPhone or Android apps, featuring a fresh new interface and StormWatch+ severe weather alerts!