Statewide forecast � Sept. 5: Smoke in eastern WA until Friday, west side starts to clear Thursday.

Some minor tweaks to the forecast issued yesterday:

1. A new-ish fire near Mt. Rainier (Wrong Creek) is pumping smoke into the south sound
2. Strong-ish winds on Friday will increase fire growth in eastern WA
3. Seems like the clearing is being slowed down slightly.

Here's the satellite picture from this morning (click for 1-2PM animation).

Notice how smoke has filled many of the Cascade valleys. The animation shows some smoke plumes have started blowing eastward this afternoon. Problem is, surface level winds are still easterly and will likely remain so until early Thursday. It will then take several hours to clean out western WA, so expect air to remain Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

It will be Friday AM before eastern WA starts to scrub out, leaving many areas with Unhealthy or worse air. As the front drags through eastern WA:

1. Strong-ish winds will fan the flames and likely increase fire growth
2. Some Oregon smoke could clip southern and southeastern WA, perpetuating Moderate/ USG conditions

A return to Good air is likely over the weekend, save for areas very close to large fires.

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