What stinks? NWS says this is behind the St. Louis area’s foul fall odors
ST. LOUIS – Did you smell an odd smell St. Louis area? You’re not alone. Several viewers have informed FOX 2 of a foul odor Wednesday, and it was strong enough to catch the attention of the National Weather Service.
NWS officials tell FOX 2 that they are aware of a “slight stink” in the air that began for some in the morning and has lingered into the afternoon hours for others.
The culprit? NWS officials attribute the foul odor to farmers spreading manure on fields. It appears a light breeze on Wednesday helped carry the odor across the region.
Farmers typically wait until later in the fall season to lay a liquid slurry on fields to ensure that nutrients remain effective into the next growing season. They’re looking for temperatures around 50 degrees. Anything warmer will cause the nutrients to degrade before winter hits.
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Other earthly smells, such as mold and decaying leaves, may also contribute to foul fall odors. Such scents are a byproduct of leaves, trees and plants all breaking down, in addition to manure fertilizing fields.
Theresa Crimmins, director of the USA National Phenology Network, explains that cooler temperatures and crisper air may also enhance one’s ability to detect odd autumn aromas.
That said, fall is far from the only time odd scents come and go in the St. Louis region. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged its awareness of “odor concerns” in the St. Louis area with some reporting odd smells of a chemical or petroleum odor as recently as August.
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