Temperature inversion rears its ugly head in Western Washington

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.

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