Wildfire smoke blankets the region west of the Cascades, keeping temperatures moderate as a north/northwesterly breeze prepares to clear the air.
Thick wildfire smoke continues to blanket areas west of the Cascades, limiting temperature increases for the afternoon. Highs are expected to reach the upper 80s to 90 degrees. A north/northwesterly breeze is scheduled to develop on Thursday, which will help gradually clear the smoke from west to east. While the improvement will not be a day and night difference, residents will notice the air clearing throughout the afternoon and evening. East of the Cascades, hazy sunshine will persist until the wildfires are fully extinguished. Temperatures are projected to increase slightly as the smoke clears, with highs potentially reaching the lower 90s. The region will see a gradual cooling trend through the end of the work week and into the weekend, with highs remaining in the upper 80s to 90 degrees. More seasonable weather is expected to arrive by Sunday, with highs in the low to mid-80s and a mix of a morning clouds and afternoon sun.