Arctic haze

noun

climatology

: a layer of aerosol particulates in the atmosphere primarily over the northwestern regions of North America

Arctic haze, mainly a mixture of sulfate and particulate organic matter, has a distinct seasonal cycle, with a maximum in late winter and early spring …

—Yinghui Liu et al., Journal Of Climate, 1 Apr. 2010

Note: North American Arctic haze is currently believed to be caused by industrial pollution riding the winds eastward from Asia.

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

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