Wildfire Smoke Will Infiltrate Puget Sound Today

SEATTLE, WA - A change in weather will bring heat and smoky air back to Puget Sound in the coming days. Air quality will begin to deteriorate Monday as smoke from fires burning in California and Oregon seeps into the region, according to forecasts.

A high pressure system building off the Pacific Coast will allow a stronger flow of air from California north to Puget Sound, according to forecasts. If the weather holds, the smoke could get so bad that air could be downgraded to "unhealthy" for people in sensitive groups.

"The pattern could push smoke into our region for days. At this point, we expect to start at moderate levels. However, as the smoke continues to head into our region, we may reach levels unhealthy for sensitive groups. We'll update this forecast as conditions change," the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency wrote of this week's forecast.

As of Monday morning, air quality was rated as "moderate" in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties for heavier outdoor activity like running and cycling. Air quality was also rated as "moderate" for sensitive groups partaking in low-level outdoor activity like walking.

Get up to date air quality reports from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency here.

File photo by Neal McNamara/Patch