When it rains, the water droplets capture and bring down the smoke particles to the ground, effectively reducing the concentration of smoke in the air. This process is called coagulation and can lead to improved air quality and better visibility, providing some relief from the smoky conditions caused by wildfires.
The rain actually has a cleaning effect on the air. When rain falls, it attracts many aerosol particles including the particles made by cigarettes which cause their smell. Then the particles get brought to the ground and are released into the ground, never to reach your nose.
The main reason rain does not wash away fog is because fog is a cloud itself. Rain falls from clouds, and fog is a cloud. Rain can pass through fog, possibly changing the temperature enough to impact the presence of fog, but likely just moving harmlessly through to the ground.
Yes for a time air quality improves after a storm passes through. The mechanism is called ``precipitation scavenging'' in which droplets of rain will absorb particulate matter as they fall towards the ground. This is the primary mechanism - removal of PM in the air.
For areas that are lucky enough to receive a heavy shower, air quality will improve slightly within that local area. Because the aerial coverage of smoke and haze extends over a thousand miles, the improvement would be short-lived.
Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. Having a portable HEPA air cleaner available will also help to create a room with filtered air. See https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home. for additional guidance on home air filtration.
Breathing through a warm, wet washcloth or towel MAY help relieve dryness. However, they will not protect your lungs from smoke or inhaling particle. Wet towels or bandanas have the same shortcomings as paper dust masks. We do not recommend that they be used.
Rain and Snow
We all know how the air feels cleaner and fresher after it rains. This is because both rain and snow clean the air, removing most of the pollutants. However, these do not disappear by magic from the environment; they are absorbed into the ground and into the streams.
Stable atmospheric boundary layer is conducive to the accumulation of atmospheric pollution and the occurrence of fog, and fog has a removal effect on air pollution.
The rain would only clear smoke temporarily
But when it finally does, it will still be a partial solution. Haze is made of smoke, and many smoke components are not soluble. They would not easily dissolve in the falling rain.
Atmospheric layers with high amounts of water vapour can help to dissipate fog by long wave radiation. Heat from the ground can lift the fog into low cloud. Increasing shear at fog top caused by increasing wind above the Fog entrains drier air into the cloud and accelerates the dissipation.
Morning sunrise- the sun's rays heat the ground beneath the fog and the water droplets evaporate to become water vapour. This effect spreads up through the fog and the fog dissipates. This is often called 'burning off the fog'.
Bottom Line: Does Rain Reduce Air Pollution? Rain has a small impact of 0-30% on reducing particulate air pollution. Even the heaviest rains reduce PM2. 5 air pollution by less than 10%, whereas the winds that sometimes accompany rainstorms have much larger effects.
How long smoke lingers in the atmosphere depends on several factors. Weather conditions, such as wind patterns and atmospheric stability, play a role in determining how quickly smoke disperses. Atmospheric Stability can cause vertical air motion, but it can also suppress this from happening.
Rain is the source of fresh water for many cultures where rivers, lakes, or aquifers are not easily accessible. Rain makes modern life possible by providing water for agriculture, industry, hygiene, and electrical energy. Governments, groups, and individuals collect rain for personal and public use.
Rain, snow, and wind can significantly help reduce air pollution. Rain and snow helped lower measurements of PM2. 5 in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Denver, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Poor indoor air quality can lead to long-term health issues. Research indicates that limited ventilation traps pollutants, creating an unhealthy environment. Closed windows allow pollutants such as dust, mold, and allergens to accumulate, leading to the circulation of stale air.
When it rains, the water droplets capture and bring down the smoke particles to the ground, effectively reducing the concentration of smoke in the air. This process is called coagulation and can lead to improved air quality and better visibility, providing some relief from the smoky conditions caused by wildfires.
During rainfall, several scientific processes interact to cleanse the atmosphere of pollutants. The primary mechanisms include scavenging, washout, and rainout, each influencing air quality. Raindrops act as natural purifiers by capturing suspended particles and gases as they fall through the atmosphere.
After being in the rain, dry off thoroughly and take a warm shower to help stabilize your body temperature and prevent illness.
Drinking lots of water also helps reduce the desire to smoke. Headaches are one of the common symptoms that occur when nicotine is removed from the body and there is increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Headaches can be treated in the usual way by resting quietly and drinking plenty of water.
A wet towel soaks the smoke particles from the surrounding air and reduces the smoky smell from the room.
Activated carbon is a highly porous material that has a large surface area that can trap smoke and other odors with high efficacy. The carbon filter in the IQAir HealthPro Series contains small pellets of activated carbon that absorb the smoke odor and other harmful VOCs present in the air.