Air Quality Impacts Forecast For The Cascade Foothills

ISSAQUAH, WA — Residents living near the Cascades foothills in east King and Pierce counties should expect some air quality impacts Thursday and Friday, as temperatures soar and wildfire smoke returns. Most of Puget Sound is forecast to reach the mid-90s both Thursday and Friday, before beginning to cool through the weekend. In Issaquah, afternoon temperatures may crack triple digits Friday.

While most in King County can expect air quality to remain in the "moderate" range or better, those at higher elevations may see air quality dip into the "unhealthy for sensitive for groups" range due to increased ozone levels from the heat. Thankfully, things should clear up by the weekend.

"A high pressure system is moving into our area starting Thursday, bringing high temperatures and smoke," the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency wrote Wednesday. "Strong westerly winds are predicted to return late Saturday into Sunday, which will help clear out the smoke. Expect MODERATE to UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS ozone levels near the Cascades on Wed-Sat due to high temps."

Residents can find the latest air quality alerts on the PSCAA website and find live air quality and smoke conditions via the EPA's AirNow tool.

Related:

• Puget Sound Smoke Forecast: Some Haze May Arrive Thursday
• Excessive Heat Warning Issued Across Puget Sound