The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is warning that air quality will be in the moderate range for much of the Puget Sound region this weekend due to wildfire smoke.
The agency said areas closer to U.S. Route 2, the city of Darrington and the eastern parts of King and Snohomish counties could have air quality ranging from unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy, or worse.
KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard said Thursday that sinking air from the high pressure is producing a temperature inversion — meaning air warms with height instead of cooling — which can produce stagnant air and trap haze and smoke over the area.
As of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, most areas west of Lake Washington were in the moderate range. While areas near Bellevue and Mercer Island were also in the moderate range, much of the eastside ranged from unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy, according to the Washington Smoke Blog.
The overall air quality will be MODERATE for most of our region for the next few days from wildfire smoke. Some areas closer to US Route 2, Darrington, & east King & Snohomish County may reach UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS, UNHEALTHY, or worse at times. pic.twitter.com/PE5Ei3YlrE
— PS Clean Air Agency (@pscleanair) October 7, 2022
Smoke will get worse around Western Washington this weekend and an Air Quality Alert has been issued for many areas. The forecast hour-by-hour on @KIRO7Seattle now.
— Morgan Palmer (@MorganKIRO7) October 7, 2022
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