WA Smoke Forecast: Cooler Temps, Clearer Skies Inbound

SEATTLE — Heading into Thursday, forecasters warned that the incoming smoke would lower the air quality somewhat. In a worst-case scenario, they even said the air quality could drop past "moderate" and into "unhealthy for sensitive group" levels.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened, and Friday kicked off with health experts and meteorologists alike urging residents to take it easy and try to maximize time spent indoors and out of the smog.

Compounding the problem was an incoming hot streak that had local officials scrambling to open cooling centers across Puget Sound, trying to prevent a repeat of June's deadly heat wave.

It's lucky then, that both the heat and the smoke should filter out over the weekend.

After highs nearing triple digits Friday, Saturday will have much more manageable temperatures in the upper 80s or lower 90s. The National Weather Service's Excessive Heat Warning, which began midday Wednesday, will expire at 7 p.m. Saturday. Until then, experts say residents should continue to take extra precaution if they work outside, avoiding strenuous activities in the midday if possible. They also advise wearing lightweight and loose fitting clothes, and to take frequent rest breaks indoors or in cool environments. Staying hydrated will also help stave off heat sickness.

Though it will be cooler than Friday, a number of cooling centers will remain open Saturday in both King and Pierce counties. Older adults, young children, and people with mental illnesses or chronic diseases are at particularly high risk during heat waves, and are encouraged to take advantage of local cooling centers, especially if they don't have convenient access to AC or other means of cooling off.

Just like the heat, the smoke situation should be better Saturday, but may remain an issue for those who are vulnerable to air quality fluctuations. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency predicts the smoke will clear enough to bring air quality back to the "moderate" level for most of the day. More smoke will linger aloft, keeping skies hazy, but won't impact air quality at the ground level as much.

The weather will continue to improve Sunday, which should bring Puget Sound much closer to regular summer weather. The National Weather Service says westerly flows should clear out lingering upper-level smoke, and there will even be a chance for light showers Sunday night — which would help flush out any remaining haze.

Cooler temperatures are also inbound Sunday, with forecasted highs dipping into the 70s. Monday will be even cooler with highs in the low to mid 70s, which will warm into the 80s by the mid-week.

In short: Saturday should be better that Friday, and if Western Washington can tough out its moderate heat and haze, it'll be rewarded with a cleaner, calmer Sunday and a pleasantly warm week ahead.