TAMPA, Fla. — If you're seeing hazy skies in the Tampa Bay area, volcanic ash might be the cause.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is tracking the ash, and officials said pilots reported it visible over Sarasota.
Volcano Popocatepetl, 2,000 miles from Tampa, is an active volcano in central Mexico and upper level winds and pushing the high level ash across the Gulf of Mexico and portions of Florida.
Weather experts say the elevated ash could make for more colorful local sunsets. The air quality over the Tampa Bay region is also being affected with most of the region under a moderate air quality, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Particulate matter 2.5 is what is high currently, which causes reduced visibility in the sky. That can come from volcanos, but it is unclear if the volcano in Mexico is pushing those particles through the region. It has lowered our air quality into the moderate range.
The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County issued an air pollution precaution Friday due to the elevated levels of particulate matter.
The volcano in Mexico is North America's second-highest volcano and is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico, according to Oregon State University's volcano research group. Researchers said most of the eruptions in the past 600 years were relatively mild.
As for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, officials said they have not heard any reports of the ash over Sarasota. Officials said the ash also would "more than likely" not have an effect on operations.
