seattle fog
Forecasters say cold, dry weather with areas of freezing fog will continue into the middle of next week in Washington. (AP Photo/file)

Cold, foggy weather to continue in Western Washington

BY Jamie Skorheim  on January 18, 2013 @ 8:50 am (Updated: 1:39 pm - 1/18/13 )

Forecasters say cold, dry weather with areas of freezing fog will continue into the middle of next week in Washington.

The National Weather Service issued a fog advisory early Friday, warning visibility could be less than a half a mile in the dense fog.

"When it comes to when the fog and where the fog is going to burn off, it is almost the Magic 8 ball, the future is hazy, ask again later," says KING 5's Rich Marriott.

Marriott says the fog will diminish Friday afternoon, but similar conditions will return Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

An air stagnation advisory remains in effect through early next week. NWS says the stagnant conditions will allow pollutants like vehicle emissions and smoke to collect near the surface.

A curious part of the recent weather conditions is that it is actually warmer at higher elevations. While the lowlands are experiencing temperatures around the 30s, higher elevations are in the 40s and 50s. University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Cliff Mass explains in his weather blog that such conditions are called an inversion, as it's the opposite of the norm.

The National Weather Service says a frontal system could arrive Tuesday night or Wednesday, returning rain to Western Washington and a chance of snow in Eastern Washington.

Marriott calls them "welcome showers" as they will clear out the air pollution.

A strong high pressure system over the Northwest is expected to last through the weekend, maintaining stagnant air conditions that could cause breathing problems for vulnerable people.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
More Local News
Top Stories
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (4)


  • Add A Comment

  • CH wrote...
    don't worry xmall kop -
    January 18, 2013 11:13 am
    Chris Hansen has plenty of money to pay his fare. If he needs more he will take more of your tax dollars. Go Flounders!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Cold? COLD?!
    January 18, 2013 12:25 pm
    I thought the world was coming to an end and Seattle would be swallowed up into the Sound by the evil rising tides due to global warmi....er...uh....climate change? You just reported that last week?! See, now you went and got me all excited about that possibility...and then you pull the rug out from under me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • clevesside wrote...
    Isn't all this hazy, foggy, fuzzy air stuff....
    January 18, 2013 1:53 pm
    ... called the "Local Gore Effect?" Can he make money off this too?!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    This is called Winter
    January 18, 2013 6:56 pm
    Obamabots
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }