summer smog

Hot weather haze

Summer smog is air pollution formed when sunlight triggers chemical reactions among vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants, producing a hazy, harmful atmosphere.

Unlike winter smog from coal burning, summer smog—also called photochemical smog—peaks on hot, sunny days and irritates lungs and eyes: The summer smog advisory warned against outdoor exercise.

Related

ozone · pollution · car exhaust · heat · nitrogen oxides · choking · photochemical · swelter · aerosols · eye irritation · cough · urban heat islands · particulates · glare · wheeze · hydrocarbons · emission controls · respiratory distress

Opposites
air quality

summer smogclean air

Uncontaminated breathable gas

fresh air · pure air · mountain air · clear skies · crisp air

seasonal atmospheric phenomenon

summer smogwinter fog

Cold-weather low visibility

ice fog · morning mist · sea fog

atmospheric visibility

summer smogblue skies

Unclouded atmosphere above

Family

summer, smog, summers, summery, summered, summering, summertime, midsummer, smoggy

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G