Thursday, September 10, 2020

"Super Massive" smoke plume hovering menacingly over southwest WA, biding its time

The "super massive" pall of smoke referenced in the earlier blog post this morning has only moved a little. Air quality in the Vancouver, WA area has begun deteriorating while the rest of southwest WA is "enjoying" mostly Moderate air quality and a little relief from the heat as the smoke filters out the sunshine. 

We have been responding to queries from many concerned citizens, about expected air quality in different areas and impacts on outdoor activities, and are being overwhelmed with requests for personalized forecasts. We'll do what we can, but here's a map of what Friday will bring. Saturday will be worse for most areas, with few clean air getaways possible. "Clean air" will become a relative term for most of this weekend. More details on that tomorrow. 


You can see the latest forecast here. It will be updated daily. This is to be used as a general guideline only, not for dissecting with surgical precision the differences in air quality on one street and the next. 


59 comments:

  1. Thanks for the information. I've read that beneath San Francisco's red skies, air quality wasn't as dire because the smoke layer was high above, and blocked by a marine layer. Do you know how high this smoke plume is over Washington? And how it might interact with layers beneath it?

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    1. Models suggest it is around 1 km AGL but it doesnt look like there will be decoupling of the upper layers. If the marine layer (or nocturnal inversion) offers a shield, it will only be closer to the coast and at night.

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    2. What is causing the easterly winds? A low SE of here or a high in Canada?

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    3. High over Canada, thermal trough offshore. East winds have ended now and the marine push is bringing in smoke that was earlier pushed offshore by the east winds.

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  2. Where can high risk people evacuate to to have a higher chance for “moderate” air conditions?

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    1. "Indoors" or to a clean air room is the safest bet.

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    2. Please, anyone with some advice on where we can go to get out of the smoke let us know. We have a herd of horses and it is taking its toll on them and me.

      Where is the air clear? How about Bend? Indoors is not a safe option for us.

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    3. Unfortunately I'm not seeing any areas where you could run to in in WA or OR. There is a small sliver in the North Cascades that might be spared the worst but its not perfect either. Conditions on the coast will start to improve by Sunday, if you could hang on.

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  3. I just want to say thanks for the info. I appreciate it, and all the work you put into this site. Thank you!!

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  4. How about Bonney Lake tomorrow?

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    1. I the map doesn't help, check through the hundred plus comments yesterday asking for specific forecasts. It's on the other post.

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  5. Where do I find a smoke forecast for Sequim? We are supposed to visit my mother, but reconsidering. Thanks!

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  6. Thank you for keeping us informed.

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  7. Thank you for the notifications. It's allowed me to get help to get air filters in time for the smoke coming. I have COPD so I really appreciate it.

    I've been feeling the smoke affect me for 2 days so knowing it will get worse is good to know, to prepare. Thanks?

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  8. I live in Mossyrock, and my area in the map doesn’t have a color layer applied at all. Does the absence of a layer mean I’m ok or does it mean no info is available? I’d think that if I’m ok it would be green, so I’m assuming there’s no good info to use to make the map? Any clarification for East Lewis county would be appreciated.

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  9. The map shows hwy 12 from about morton up white pass with no rating. Will the air be clear?

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  10. Thank you Ranil! I appreciate the information, and I laughed so hard when I read your last sentence that I had to read it to my mom.

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  11. Is the “latest forecast here” link at the bottom of the post giving a 500 internal server error for anyone else?

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  12. What time tonight or tomorrow is this cloud expected to move over the Tacoma area? Trying to figure out if we need to close our windows before going to bed...Thanks!

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  13. Thank you so much for your hard work and updates!

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  14. What is the level for whidbey island near Clinton and Langley

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  15. We just planned a garage sale for the weekend! Anything we can do to help those coming?

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    1. Unfortunately, the best ways to help with smoke exposure involve staying indoors, so you may want to consider cancelling. Normally, an N95 respirator could provide protection for those outside, but those need to be saved for healthcare and frontline workers while supplies are low due to COVID-19.

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  16. Forecast just shows “tomorrow”— how do we tell what time it will hit? It is so hot.. can windows be open tonight?

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    1. This is a 24hr average forecast. Hourly forecasts from models are available but with varying degrees of accuracy. The monitors are your best best for making real time decisions like that

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  17. Really appreciate this information and the updates! Keep up the great work and thank you!

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  18. Thank you so much! Truly appreciate the updates!

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  19. I've been wanting to spend more time with my in laws lately & I attribute that to inhaling more smoke.Thanks.

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  20. Thank you! The map is easy to decipher. Husband has COPD. This helps me to help him.

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  21. I'm SO THANKFUL I found this page...
    My Son has Chronic Lung Disease from Premature Birth,(born@25wks.& Now18yrs), and I've been Extremely worried about the smoke from the amount of fires going on around us...This will Definitely help Me Inform My Son with More knowledge. Thank You!!!������

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  22. Appreciate the info! I can tell when it is impacting me from the increasing fires over these years as my ear(s) start ringing, dizziness, headache and general ugly disposition. :(

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    1. I also am dizzy with terrible headaches. Keep the faith. I pray it ends soon.

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  23. Thank you for your efforts to keep us all informed. Now we just need to find a source for effective filters....

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  24. The air quality for Randle wa shows clear. Will the smoke be staying out of the valley?

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  25. Here in Birch Bay unable to see the Islands and Mt.Baker. I am inreally good health, but my eyes do burn and I am coughing.
    Those with COPD this must be hell for them..my heart goes to out to you. Thank you to all who keep us non-meteorologists informed to keep us as safe as we can get and our pets safe.
    Those poor farm animals with nowhere to go. Again,my utmost gratitude and Awards to you all

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  26. Is indoor exercise in a room with an air purifier safe or advisable? Thanks!

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  27. Smoke over Willapa Bay is thick and low. It appears the smoke has mixed with the marine layer. The sky is bright, but no sun yet

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  28. Hello, is this forecast at https://enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/text/421#Forecast accurate for tomorrow, Saturday the 12th? It appears to go from unhealthy to moderate AQI rather quickly and I wanted to get a better idea of what to expect. Thanks very much.

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    1. It was just updated but yes Olympia--> Tacoma does show a substantial gradient. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, plan for the bleaker outlook. Better to be safe than sorry.

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    2. Thank you. More specifically, would areas much further inland (ex: e/ne of North Bend, WA) expect to see a maintained moderate AQI levels through Sunday? Or gradually worse? Appreciate your work.

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  29. I would like to ask: from where is the smoke coming that we are experiencing in the Seattle area?

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    1. This has been covered extensively in blog posts. Please take the time to read.

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  30. I work outside for my county in Solid Waste. I have asthma and my employer is doing nothing to protect my health or the health of my coworkers. Where can I possibly turn to for help?

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    1. You may find useful info here: https://lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-topics/topics/wildfire-smoke

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    2. Monica I'm sorry to hear of your situation. At the very least, try and locate the closest thing to an N95 mask (which are in short supply, but some hardware stores are rumored to be selling imported KN95 masks, which arent NIOSH certified but probably good enough). Second, try and schedule as many indoor breaks as possible, but keep the mask on for COVID concerns.

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  31. Mr. Ranil- Thank you so much for this information and your responses. This appears to me to be the best place to go for accurate data. I hope you can answer questions over the weekend. People are very worried.

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  32. Thank y’all for the information everyone stay safe indoors!

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  33. ranil- you are a true public servant. a great forecaster, and there for the people. It just never gets any easier does it. continue to owe you many thanks. - karen

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