Seattle woke Tuesday under smoky skies and a mild 59 degrees at Boeing Field, but the easy morning weather will not last. Temperatures are expected to climb to about 83 degrees by afternoon, with smoke becoming more widespread after 2 p.m. The combination of heat and worsening air quality will make the next few days a matter of timing for outdoor plans.
Smoke Arrives As Afternoon Heat Peaks
According to the National Weather Service Seattle, Tuesday will stay sunny through early afternoon, with north winds between 6 and 9 mph and no rain. Patchy smoke may begin around 2 p.m., shifting to areas of smoke during the afternoon and patchy smoke Tuesday night before skies clear.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect through 5 p.m. Wednesday for Seattle, the Eastside, and a wide swath of Puget Sound and nearby foothill communities. The weather service says smoke from fires in eastern Washington is expected to move west, with some of it likely mixing down to street level as the day warms.
Wednesday Brings The Week’s Peak Heat
Wednesday is expected to reach 88 degrees with patchy smoke after 1 p.m., followed by a clear low near 61. Thursday should also top out near 88 under sunny skies, while Friday cools slightly to 85.
The bigger cooldown arrives this weekend: Saturday is forecast near 80, Sunday near 76, and Monday near 75, with dry conditions continuing. Overnight lows should mostly stay in the upper 50s to low 60s, offering some relief but not a dramatic reset after the warmest afternoons.
Check Smoke Conditions Before Outdoor Plans
People with asthma, heart or lung conditions, children, older adults, and anyone sensitive to smoke may want to shift strenuous activity indoors when conditions deteriorate. AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map provides current particle-pollution readings and smoke information, while the weather service recommends taking frequent breaks in a cooled building during the hottest stretch.
