Inversion & Fog Continues Through Friday, Pattern Change on Sunday

FastCast—Friday, Jan. 28 to Monday, Jan. 31:

The fog and inversion (with very welcome afternoon sun) will continue on Friday. Saturday will be a transition day, with a bit less fog and instead some “normal” mostly cloudy conditions. On Sunday, the pattern will change, with rain in the lowlands and snow in the mountains. Expect 0.2 to 0.5 inches of rain and 6-12 inches of snow at the passes, most above 4,000 feet. Breezy winds up to 30 mph will bring mixing to the atmosphere and clear out the stagnant air. Through Monday, expect highs in the mid 40s to low 50s (colder if fog doesn’t clear on Friday or Saturday) with lows in the low to mid 30s. 

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Most of the Puget Sound region had some afternoon sun today! Highs reached the mid to upper 40s, the warmest since last Friday! At sunset, a layer of haze could be seen on the horizon. This is a result of the persistent inversion and associated degraded air quality. The EPA AirNow map below shows AQI readings Thursday evening.  

Yellow readings are “moderate” and the spotty orange readings are “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Moderate AQI is prevalent around the region, and sometimes the smell of wood smoke can be observed. 

There is good news…the pattern will change on Sunday. Friday and Saturday will be similar to Thursday, including chilly morning temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. 

A pattern change is ahead on Sunday. Below is the European model precipitation through Monday morning.

These totals are likely on the higher end…but generally, 0.2-0.75 inches are expected  in the Lowlands, with higher totals of 0.8 to 1 inch in Whatcom & Skagit Counties and 0.75 to 1.5 inches on the coast. 

Snow will return to the mountains as well. Below is the European model forecast for snow through Monday morning (more will likely fall after that, but not much).

Expect 6-12 inches at the passes, with more (up to 2 feet) at higher elevations. Some mountain pass delays may be possible, so be prepared if you’re crossing the mountains. This will be the first significant snow the passes have received since the major storm earlier this month.

Additionally, winds gusting up to 30-35 mph on Sunday will clear out the stagnant air.