SEATTLE — As unseasonably high temperatures bake western Washington going into the weekend, coming with it will be some diminished air quality around the region.
Seattle's Air Quality Index (AQI) went from good to moderate on Thursday, where it is expected to remain until Monday per IQ Air's forecasts. Moderate air quality, which is anything between 51-100 on the AQI, means some people in sensitive groups should be cautious with outdoor activity.
The Seattle AQI on Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. was 58 per IQ Air. That number is expected to rise to 66 on Saturday and 73 on Sunday in Seattle.
IQ Air's live air quality forecast shows the area north of Everett up the Washington state coast is seeing mostly good air quality. South of Tacoma and Olympia, there are more stations reporting AQI levels over 100. KING 5 meteorologist Ashley Ruiz says most of the smoke in the Seattle area should remain elevated.
The unseasonable heat Thursday led to some daily temperature records in the region, including in Seattle, SeaTac, Olympia and Quillayute. Temperatures will near or surpass 90 degrees again on Friday around the region. A Heat Advisory remains in effect for much of western Washington until 11 p.m. This means there is a moderate risk of heat-related illness, especially for people who do not have access to effective cooling or adequate hydration.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an air quality alert for Lewis County until 12 p.m. Saturday due to wildfire smoke. "All sensitive groups should limit spending any time outdoors. People with health conditions may have worsened symptoms. Healthy people may start to have symptoms," wrote the NWS in its advisory.