Air quality forecast, Tuesday 15 July 2014

Issued by Ranil Dhammapala, Washington State Dept. of Ecology

 

Some localized heavy rain, lightning strikes and new fires were all packaged in with Monday’s weather. As the low pressure system responsible for all that departs the region, it is sucking some smoke from fires in British Columbia over north central and northeastern Washington today. Most but not all of this smoke is expected to stay aloft, partially obscure visibility and cause pretty sunsets.

 

Tuesday (15 July) and Wednesday will be hot through much of eastern Washington. Air quality has stayed between Good to Moderate in most areas. As Janice states below, smoke from the Mills Canyon fire might increase temporarily today. Winds are expected to drive the smoke south and southeast, well into the Columbia Basin. Entiat, Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Yakima and Tri Cities are likely to see some smoke. In addition new fires between Goldendale and Lyle in Klickitat County are likely to blow some smoke into the southern Columbia Basin.

 

On Wednesday and Thursday winds turn westerly so smoke will likely blow across the basin into Idaho. Things cool down a bit by Friday and winds turn southwesterly. While the new fire starts are still being investigated, it is possible that some fires in northern Oregon will begin to impact sections of south central and southeast Washington by Friday.

 

Air quality in eastern Washington through Friday 18 July is likely to vary between Good and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through Wednesday evening for much of eastern Washington, and a Fire Weather Watch through Thursday evening for the western part of the Columbia Basin. Please check these links for details and necessary precautions.

 

Thanks.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ranil Dhammapala, PhD.

Atmospheric Scientist

Washington State Department of Ecology

P.O Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600

Tel: 360-407-6807

Fax: 360-407-7534

Email: ranil.dhammapala@ecy.wa.gov

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~