The ASDTA (Automated Smoke Detection and Tracking Algorithm) Smoke-West AOD is generated by NOAA / NESDIS to provide observational support for verification of NOAA / NWS HYSPLIT smoke (PM2.5) forecasts. ASDTA uses a source apportionment technique by fusing GOES observations of fire hot spots and GASP-West AOD maps at a 30-minute interval. GASP AOD is not retrieved where clouds are present. Plume direction and extent from all observed fire sources are first determined, then AOD values not associated with the fires are dropped. A pattern recognition technique is used for plumes transported long distances from fire sources. ASDTA provides wind speed and direction associated with the plumes; however, the vertical location of the plumes is not known.

ASDTA Smoke runs once a day starting at 18 UTC and ending by approximately 23 UTC. It runs using SAB analysis of HMS hysplit fire point data for the previous day. Therefore, ASDTA Smoke output from the most recent run will be dated for two days prior. (e.g. At 12 UTC on July 7th, the most recent run will be for July 5th.) If the run finishes early, there may be a few hours (19-23 UTC) when the most recent run will be dated for one day prior (e.g. At 22 UTC on July 7th, the most recent run will be for July 6th). Time is in UTC. Conversions to CONUS standard time zones are as follows: EST = UTC -5, CST = UTC - 6, MST = UTC - 7, PST = UTC - 8.