Why Fireworks Shows Sometimes Disappear Into Clouds of Smoke

Nothing ruins a Fourth of July fireworks show faster than when the whole display gets swallowed up by thick smoke that just won't go away. One minute you're watching colorful explosions light up the night sky, and the next minute all you can see are dim flashes behind a wall of gray haze.

This happens way more often than you'd think, and it's got nothing to do with cheap fireworks or poor planning. The culprit is actually a sneaky weather condition that can turn even the most expensive pyrotechnic display into a smoky mess.

It's All About Air That Won't Move

Every firework creates smoke when it explodes - that's just part of how they work. Usually, that smoke drifts away quickly and doesn't cause problems. But sometimes the smoke gets trapped near the ground and builds up like fog, blocking the view of everything happening above.