Gig Harbor Weekend Forecast: Cloudy, But Improving Air Quality

GIG HARBOR, WA — Western Washington residents can sigh a sigh of relief when the weather blows away the remaining wildfire smoke this weekend, thankful that the air quality never reached the unhealthy or hazardous levels the state saw for much of last month.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's latest projections predict that air quality will remain moderate for much of the region Saturday, before shifting winds can blow away the final remnants of smoke Sunday.

When the air quality is moderate, those sensitive to pollution should avoid excessive outdoor activity, and even healthy adults are encouraged to avoid strenuous running or cycling outdoors.

But even moderate air quality is much better than some parts of Washington will see this weekend. An Air Stagnation Advisory has been issued for portions of southwestern Washington, warning that Cowlitz County and the greater Vancouver area will be washed in wildfire smoke, causing poor air quality until sometime Monday evening.

Back in the Puget Sound region, the forecast is much more friendly: expect some clouds and some haze until the sunshine returns in full force early next week. The National Weather Service predicts that Saturday some areas will see morning to afternoon fog, while others may have a lingering haze. Highs will be in the low 70s with overnight lows in the upper 50s.

Sunday the haze will have cleared out, but there is still a large chance of morning fog and partly cloudy skies through the day. Highs will be slightly cooler in the upper 60s, with overnight lows relatively stable in the upper 50s once again.

During that morning fog, experts say it will be important for commuters to remember to drive safely and slowly. On Friday, several neighborhoods in Seattle had their visibility reduced to half a mile or less.

Here's the 5-day forecast for Gig Harbor:

• Saturday: 69°/54°
• Sunday: 66°/53°
• Monday: 65°/52°
• Tuesday: 70°/51°
• Wednesday: 70°/53°

After a cloudy Sunday, skies are predicted to clear Monday until we see just a few scattered clouds on Tuesdays. Forecasters are not predicting rain, which is an anomaly for this time of year: the National Weather Service says the last time the Seattle area had a dry first week of October was back in 2014.