Wildfire Smoke Returning to Western Washington

Wildfire smoke is returning to Western Washington. Smoke from California wildfires will be impacting the area from Tuesday night through at least Wednesday night. 

I’m sure you have images of the last smoke event in your head. However, current forecasts show that this upcoming event will be different. Smoke is coming from farther away (Northern California) instead of from Oregon, like last time. Because the smoke is from farther away, it will not be as low to the ground and therefore will not impact air quality as much.

This will be the kind of smoke that gives the air a bit of haze, but doesn’t significantly impact air quality. Expect some reddish sunsets as well.

Let’s take a look at the Monday afternoon satellite image. I have outlined the California smoke that will eventually impact our area.

A thermal trough will allow for winds to blow smoke north from California. This will also aid in pushing temperatures to 75-80 degrees from Wednesday-Friday.

Let’s take a look at the smoke forecast. These forecasts are from the NOAA HRRR Smoke model, showing vertically integrated smoke, or smoke in a vertical column of the atmosphere, not near the surface.

Here is 11 AM Tuesday.

Smoke has not reached Western Washington yet.

Here is 7 PM Tuesday. 

Heavy smoke over parts of Western Washington, but not on the surface. The sunset will be quite tinted.

By 11 PM Tuesday, heavy smoke aloft (upper-air) will cover most of Western WA.

Near surface smoke at this time will be confined to higher elevations. 

Here is 5 AM Wednesday. 

Smoke aloft is somewhat lighter over Western WA, but still very present.

Finally, here is 11 AM Wednesday. 

More of the same through Wednesday. This is the furthest extent of the forecast at this point.

Let’s shift gears and look at the near-surface smoke forecast. Here is the forecast for 11 AM Wednesday.

You’ll probably notice this smoke, but it will be nothing like a couple weeks ago. Expect only a small impact to air quality at this time.

Notice the color key on the bottom and the color over Western WA. The green is low-moderate smoke. (For comparison, we were in red/purple a couple weeks ago which is very heavy). 

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency forecast discussion talks about the air quality situation going forward.

Air quality reaching moderate won’t have an impact on being outside unless you’re extremely sensitive to degraded air quality. 

The fact that this smoke is from California is what’s keeping us from having another widespread dangerous smoke event.

Stay tuned for updates on the smoke situation, and keep those in Northern California in your prayers.