Most of Eastern WA has seen Moderate air since Thursday evening when smoke plumes from the north moved over the state. The Cascades has kept the smoke from reaching western WA thus far.
A satellite product showing fine particles throughout the atmosphere (known as Aerosol Optical Depth) looks like this. Yellow --> Orange --> red = increasing smoke. Lots more smoke sitting to our north!
Forecast for eastern WA
Models suggest that this pattern of northerly flow will continue for a few more days and some of this smoke will continue to mix to the surface. Expect Moderate air during the night and USG-ish during the day throughout much of eastern WA. This is because nighttime temperature inversions act as a lid over the lower atmosphere and prevent smoke aloft mixing to the surface, although smoke already at the surface will continue to linger. More smoke will mix down during daytime.
Areas close to some of the many smaller fires could experience worse conditions. Please take note of the health precautions mentioned on this website.
Tri Cities Ozone
Conditions on Friday and Saturday are conducive for ozone formation, and might be slightly aided by some smoke. Lots of visitors expected at the boat races this weekend, likely adding to the traffic emissions. Moderate to USG ozone levels are very likely, so please do your part to reduce ozone- forming pollutants.
Western WA forecast
Some hints that winds might drive a bit of smoke west of the Cascades. Not expecting conditions to deteriorate beyond Moderate over the weekend. Any smoke that mixes down to the surface isnt expected to dissipate much until Tuesday.
There is smoke over the south east end of Vancouver island and across the Olympic mountain range, what fires would that potentially be from?
ReplyDeleteHi William, some of the Siberian smoke has drifted over western WA now. Another source I am aware of is a small-ish fire south of Anacortes. Wind patterns would blow some of that smoke toward the areas you mention. A new blog entry was just posted.
DeleteCampfire grass fire thick smoke and smell in my back yard. Goldendale wa
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