Driving around the area today I noticed a thick white haze that encompassed the area. This time of the year haze is a common sky condition because we don't have the luxury of fronts to help clear our atmosphere out.

Haze is created by larger particles scattering light from the sun. This process is know as Mie scattering. On a clear day we experience Rayleigh scattering. Haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air. Some light is absorbed by particles. Other light is scattered away before it reaches an observer.

More pollutants mean more absorption and scattering of light, which reduce the clarity and color of what we see. Some types of particles such as sulfates, scatter more light, particularly during humid conditions.

Pollutants, dirt, and other particles become suspended above the surface, creating the hazy appearance of the sky. Manmade pollutants that can't be cleared from the atmosphere can create an unhealthy airmass to breathe. There have been reports of increases in incidences of eye and throat irritations and respiratory difficulties among sensitive groups.