Areas of poor air quality continue east of the Cascades, thunderstorms and critical fire weather lie ahead

Overall, Western WA has seen mostly GOOD air quality with minimal smoke impacts. Eastern Washington has improved, but haze remains with periods of MODERATE to UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS the past several days. North-central Washington continues to deal with periods of heavy smoke, as does Walla Walla due to smoke from the Paradise and Hagen fires. The Air Quality Index has reached VERY UNHEALTHY and even HAZARDOUS levels at times. 

Outlook:

Western, WA: Air quality is expected to remain good as onshore winds continue to help clear out any residual smoke and push fog onto the coast. While some upper-level haze may be visible, smoke impacts mainly remain over Central and Eastern WA. 

Eastern, WA: Hazy and smoky skies remain as fires in Central and Eastern WA as well as BC and Eastern OR continue to remain active increasing smoke production in the region. Smoke will continue to impact communities located closest to the fires, especially settling into lower elevations overnight before heating up and lifting during the day. Hot and dry conditions remain over the region with very dry fuels continuing to be available to burn. Gusty winds out of the west will pick up this weekend which may increase smoke impacts downwind from new and existing fires. In turn, smoke will decrease at locations south and west of active fires.

Three Queens Fire near Kachess Lake

Critical Fire Weather:

The heat will build this afternoon and Friday. The hot and dry conditions will likely allow for increased smoke production on the active large fires in the region over the next 48 hours. With temperatures across eastern Washington well into the 90s, it's important to stay hydrated and limit smoke exposure. Click here to learn more about how to protect yourself from smoke and heat.

Thunderstorm chances will increase Friday evening, primarily along and west of the Cascade crest, though isolated storms will be possible in eastern Washington. Storm coverage is expected to increase and spread east overnight. Storms are expected to be fast-moving and will not produce very much precipitation, increasing the risk for new lightning ignitions.

Thunderstorms will continue across portions of central and eastern Washington on Saturday afternoon as a slow-moving low pressure system tracks across the state. As it does so, westerly winds will increase, especially along the east slopes of the Cascades and across the Columbia Basin. Although temperatures will cool slightly, continued low relative humidity combined with wind gusts between 25-40mph will increase the risk for rapid spread of any emerging incidents.

Fire weather information from NWS Spokane