Heat to build across Northwest US early this week; smoke to lead to poor air quality
Temperatures will be on the rise early this week across the northwestern U.S. as high pressure builds to the north.
This will drive low-level northeasterly offshore flow which will cause temperatures to increase Monday and Tuesday, especially in the I-5 corridor.
Afternoon temperatures will reach into the upper 80s to middle 90s through Wednesday. The warmest day appears to be Tuesday. Seattle and Portland both could challenge record highs.
There will be one issue though that could disrupt how hot it gets and that will be wildfire smoke.
Winds at just about all levels of the atmosphere will shift to the north/northeast early this week which will bring alot of smoke from wildfires in British Columbia into the northwestern U.S.
This may hinder how warm it gets in the afternoon and evening.
However, the bigger concern will be poor air quality that the wildfire smoke creates. The smoke can be dense and low enough through Tuesday night that the air can become unhealthy to breathe. Limit time spent outdoors to reduce the effects.
By Wednesday, the wind flow is expected to shift to the west which will help disperse some of the smoke.
Thick smoke and haze from wildfires can be seen all across western Canada and the Pacific Northwest Saturday Aug. 18. NASA/Terra MODIS
