WA Smoke Forecast: Scattered Showers Will Not Improve Air Quality

SEATTLE — Many communities across the Puget Sound saw light drizzles of rain late Monday night, but forecasters say it didn't improve the air quality much.

And unfortunately, that's likely to continue, with models predicting unhealthy air Wednesday for much of western Washington, and very unhealthy air for central and eastern Washington.

That is, at best, a very slight improvement over conditions Tuesday morning, when the National Weather Service reported very unhealthy or hazardous air quality conditions for much of the state— and it's more optimistic than the forecast from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, who predict that winds from the south will bring even more smoke from Oregon wildfires into the Puget Sound region.

As for rain, it'll continue in smatterings, but it won't help much. The NWS says there may be scattered rain showers through Wednesday, but due to light winds and poor mixing those rains will do very little to improve the air quality. As a result, their air quality warning remains in effect through noon Thursday.

During an air quality alert, residents are warned that pollutants can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, and worsen heart and lung diseases, leading to serious health problems. For the duration of the alert, health experts are advising everyone to stay indoors as much as possible, avoid strenuous physical activity, and to filter their air indoors with AC if possible. Those who do have heart and lung diseases should consider reaching out to health care providers, or leaving the area until air quality improves.