Weather forecasters are seeing the light at the end of a smoky tunnel for Southwestern-Washington as a potent storm system approaches our region. A National Weather Service forecast is predicting that showers and thunderstorms will move through the area in the next 24-48 hours, helping to clear out most of the wildfire smoke that has lingered in the area for more than a week.
The Washington Department of Ecology predicts air quality will improve from its current hazardous levels today to “good” on Friday. The transition from this week’s smoky calm to fresher air will be dramatic, not just because of the significant improvements expected, but that the storm system could bring severe thunderstorms and flash flooding this evening.
Typical summertime weather is expected to follow with mild temperatures and northwest winds over the weekend before another storm system brings a chance for rain later next week. The first possibility for wet weather comes this afternoon with a possibility of strong, fast-moving thunderstorms, which could lead to flash floods in areas around wildfire burns. More widespread showers are expected Friday as marine air pushes its way into the area and breaks up the air inversion that’s left smoke trapped in the area.
“Between rain tonight and Friday and a decent southwest to northeast pressure gradient setting up across the area in the wake of the passing storm system, do believe we stand a good shot of mixing out at least a good chunk of the smoke over the next 24-48 hours,” the NWS said.
The welcome relief from smoke might not be as long-lived as many would hope, however. Winds onshore may weaken in the middle of next week and allow some smoke to drift back into the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge. Another weather system is expected late next week that could bring rain again.
