WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — While Whatcom County has seen brilliant red sunrises and sunsets as a result of smoke particles in the upper atmosphere, significant low-level smoke has avoided the area so far this year. Forecasters warn that may change today, Friday, September 9th.
Much of western Washington will be under Red Flag Warnings going into this weekend, including Whatcom County lowlands and Cascade foothills. This is due to the expected combination of moderate winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures.
Winds have helped stop the low-level wildfire smoke from making its way across the crests of the Cascade Range but an expected change to easterly winds today could enable low-level smoke to make its way into much of Whatcom County.
If low-level smoke does arrive, it will coincide with an expected increase in high temperatures across Whatcom County. High temperatures are expected in the low to upper 80s on Saturday and Sunday.
National Weather Service forecasters in Seattle said this morning that an onshore flow would be strong enough to push any low-level smoke out of the area sometime next week but were not confident about exactly when.
Whatcom News readers can view the latest air quality measurements in Whatcom County on the Whatcom News Weather page.
Well isn’t this special. What is causing these fires