Temperature inversion rears its ugly head in Western Washington
Dec 11, 2017, 9:44 AM | Updated: 11:39 am
(File, MyNorthwest)
(File, MyNorthwest)
You would have been warmer 10,000 feet up on Mount Rainier Monday morning than in many lowland areas of Western Washington.
Washington mountain pass webcams
A strong temperature inversion continues to trap cold air in the lowlands, with warmer air above, according to the National Weather Service. The inversion began last week.
As of 8 a.m. on Monday, it was 41 degrees at Camp Muir on Mount Rainier. It was 33 degrees in SeaTac, 29 in Bellingham, and 21 in Olympia.
KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard says we can expect the temperature inversion to continue through mid-week.
Meanwhile, an Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect until at least noon Monday — KIRO 7 reports it has been extended through Thursday. Dry conditions and light winds have lead to stagnant conditions in the interior lowlands, according to the National Weather Service.
As of 11:30 a.m., air quality in much of King and Kitsap counties was moderate. It was unhealthy for sensitive groups in Pierce and Snohomish counties, according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
A Stage 1 burn ban is in effect for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
“Air quality continues to deteriorate across the Puget Sound region. A high-pressure system remains over Western Washington, causing cold and calm weather conditions and preventing wind from blowing away air pollution,” according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
