Warm, Dry 4th Of July Weekend Ahead For Puget Sound

SEATTLE — The long holiday weekend is shaping up to be milder than initially expected, with pleasant afternoons forecast broadly for the next few days. In a welcome departure from last weekend, both Saturday and Sunday are likely to start with morning cloud cover before clearing up for warm and sunny afternoons.

"Overall, expect dry weather with morning marine stratus and afternoon sun through the holiday weekend," NWS Seattle meteorologists wrote Friday. "Expect temperatures to be in the upper 70s to mid 80s for the interior through the weekend. Temperatures will remain a bit cooler on the boast, primarily in the upper 60s to low 70s. Currently, Saturday is expected to be the warmest day of the weekend."

While the sweltering temperatures have let up, forecasters and fire officials warn that a prolonged dry streak, with no new rain in the forecast, continues to pose heightened fire risks. Various burn bans remain in place, and restrictions have increased at state parks, including an outright ban on campfires. Officials across the region have strongly urged against using fireworks over the weekend, even in the few places where they remain legal.

While the dry days continue, forecasters said the nights should offer some welcome humidity.

Wildfire smoke filters into the area; limited air impacts expected

Aloft wildfire smoke from dozens of wildfires burning in British Columbia started filtering into Washington on Friday, and forecasters expect that will continue through at least Saturday. Fortunately, air quality experts expect impacts will be minimal for Western Washington, apart from some pretty sunsets, with little to no change for ground-level air.

The impacts may be more pronounced at higher elevations, including the Cascades, with the possibility for air quality to fall into the "moderate" range. Eastern Washington is likely to see more impacts on the ground Saturday before conditions shift for the better on Sunday.

The forecast remains largely the same heading into next week, with mostly sunny afternoons and highs near 80 forecast well into mid-week.