Improved air quality on the way to western Washington

It was another weekend with hazy skies due to wildfire smoke, with some areas of western Washington being “unhealthy for sensitive groups” according to the Washington Smoke blog, leaving many to ask – when will it rain enough to put out the wildfires and stop the smoke?

In the short-term, low-level winds from the Pacific will reduce the current wildfire smoke tomorrow and Wednesday, offering improved air quality but also some morning clouds and fog with cooler daytime high temperatures.

US 2 shut down for ‘short-term closure’ Monday morning as Bolt Creek Fire continues to burn

The primary source of the smoke was from the Bolt Creek Wildfire along US Highway 2, east of Skykomish. That wildfire started Sept. 10, and has consumed over 12,000 acres of forest, closed the Stevens Pass Highway for two weeks early on, and has since closed the highway several more times as crews battle the fire and its hazards like fallen trees and rocks. The wildfire continues to plague the Puget Sound region with smoke.

At SeaTac Airport, Sunday’s high was 80 degrees and it may reach that again today making it the first time in recorded history that there have been two days in a row in the 80s during the month of October. Highs later this week and into the coming holiday weekend will remain in the 70s as high pressure aloft over the Pacific Northwest continues the well above average temperatures and dry weather. The average high temperature in early October most years is in the mid-60s.

After a cool wet spring, the warm dry summer began right on the summer solstice. Since then, SeaTac Airport has had only just over a half inch of rain – the driest summer on record — aggravating wildfire conditions and smoke in the city.

On Tuesday, marine air and low clouds will push in over the entire area, helping to improve air quality and lower temperatures. Look for some low clouds and afternoon sun on Tuesday and the next few days with highs in the low 70s.

The pattern won’t change much through the workweek, with highs staying in the mid-70s with partly to mostly sunny skies.

However until a soaking rain arrives, the wildfires will continue to burn, the threat of more fires remains, and wildfire smoke will stay in the picture. The unseasonably warm and dry weather is expected to continue through the coming Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend with area wildfires continuing to burn.

If longer-range weather forecast charts are on track, this warm dry weather pattern may break during mid-October and bring enough rain to douse the wildfires and end all the wildfire smoke. Yet until then, at least the wildfire smoke does offer vibrant sunrise and sunset colors