AIR QUALITY ALERTS and FIRE WEATHER WARNINGS to start the Labor Day Weekend – Kris

Smoky skies and the threat of new wildfires; this is not a very fun way to start the Labor Day weekend. Hopefully, we’ll see some improvement by Saturday night. In the short term, however, smoke from local and regional wildfires is expected to increase through Saturday morning.  AIR QUALITY ALERTS are in effect for eastern Washington and North Idaho through Sunday morning. The Air Quality Index will likely reach into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range at times. Meanwhile, hot, dry conditions along with the possibility of dry thunderstorms will have firefighters on high alert Saturday. A RED FLAG WARNING for fire danger is in effect through Saturday night. It will be a little bit cooler this weekend!  Highs will top out in the mid-80s Saturday – Monday.

Sunday and Labor Day should be sunny and beautiful with the help of a westerly flow that will disperse a lot of the wildfire smoke. That could change if we have any new fires this weekend. Let’s hope not!  Back to work and school next week with warm, sunny weather. A cold front on Thursday will bring a slight chance of showers and cooler weather heading into the end of next week.