Haze will be noticeable again today, but the good news is that most of it will stay elevated, with minimal impacts at the surface. Onshore flow will continue to bring in fresh marine air near the ground, keeping air quality mainly in the good to moderate range for most of Western Washington. There is an Air Quality Alert for Skagit and Whatcom Counties, with some reduced readings in the Cascades and Cascade Foothills. A little of that elevated haze could mix down later today, but any impacts should be brief and limited.
Temperatures will warm into the upper 70s and lower 80s this afternoon with periods of sunshine and haze. The bigger concern will be east of the Cascades and in the mountains, where thunderstorms are possible, and fire danger remains high. Red Flag Warnings continue in the mountains and across much of Eastern Washington.
The weekend will bring another round of the familiar August pattern, with morning low clouds followed by afternoon sunshine. Highs will be around 80 degrees, with only a slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm in the mountains. Haze should improve Saturday, although some elevated haze will linger before continuing to clear Saturday and Sunday.
©2026 Cox Media Group
