Relief for NE WA, increased impacts across Central WA, and elevated smoke in Western WA

Eastern Washington is getting a bit of a reprieve from smoke today, but that improvement comes at the expense of areas along the Cascades. North and northeast winds are pushing smoke south and southwest, leading to smoky conditions this morning in places like Ellensburg, the Tri-Cities, and Yakima.

Yesterday's thunderstorms also resulted in lightning strikes mostly in North Central and Northeast WA. While no new fires have been reported as a result of the lightning, a Red Flag Warning through today for the Cascades and the Olympics could result in additional lightning strikes and new fire starts.

Smoke Outlook: Eastern WA

Smoke will continue drifting southwest throughout the day today and tomorrow. The greatest smoke impacts will continue to be in communities directly down wind of active fires, especially overnight and into the morning hours. However, communities to the north and northeast of active fires will see a period of improved air quality before southwest winds return this weekend.

Air Quality Alerts continue for the majority of Central and Eastern WA, but these may be revised as the day progresses. While occasional clearing and intermittent good air quality is possible during periods of stronger winds, smoke production continues to be significant from regional fires. Be sure to check air quality monitors before outdoor activities.

Smoke Outlook: Western WA

Smoke is filtering into western WA. Currently, the majority of the smoke is aloft in the atmosphere, producing hazy skies and vibrant sunrises and sunsets. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's ceilometer at Marysville shows the smoke layer about 1500 m above the surface.

Ceilometer data from Marysville. Courtesy PSCAA.

The most noticeable smoke impacts will occur in the foothills, Cascades, the eastern portions of Skagit and Whatcom counties, and higher elevations. Smoke will also be present in the Olympics until tomorrow afternoon. While some daytime mixing may bring smoke down to the surface in the Puget Sound and push conditions into Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups for several hours, widespread poor air quality is not expected. Today's pattern will continue into tomorrow as smoke drifting southwest mixes with a weak push of cleaner marine air. Onshore winds return Saturday morning to clear out any lingering haze or moderate surface impacts. 

Northwest Clean Air Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Skagit and Whatcom Counties through Saturday at 9am. Southwest Clean Air Agency has also issued an air quality alert for wildfire smoke for Skamania County through tomorrow evening with intermittent impacts also expected in the eastern portions of Clark, Cowlitz, and Lewis counties. 

Cross-section from the HRRR smoke model, valid at 3pm Friday afternoon. Smoke impacts will mostly be aloft in the atmosphere with the greatest impacts at higher elevations. Relatively less smoke is present at the surface in Puget Sound.