Weak El Nino Sort Of

It looks to be a weak El Nino year. Probably slightly warmer, drier, and milder. Very close to normal though.

Dry and slightly colder

It has been dry. It will stay dry (for a few weeks, barring minor sprinkles). Its getting colder with longer nights. Yawn.

Fire not Drought

Air quality is bad near Wenatchee. Also, we're not in a drought as the cumulative precipitation for the year is actually slightly above normal.

Still dry

If we're more lenient in what counts as "rain" (0.01" to 0.02") we are now breaking a record. Its still dry. No, really.

Smoke but not Russian

Smoke from fires east of Seattle is affecting Seattle. Russian fires aren't affecting us anymore.

Smoke cools and warms

During the day, smoke blocks solar radiation from reaching the surface, cooling things below it. At night, it acts as an insulating layer, warming things below it.

Wind moves smoke

This just in, wind can move smoke. Winds from Eastern Washington move smoke from fires there to Western Washington.