Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Bad Air News: Alert Extended Through Friday for Oregon, the Coast, Portland

Published 08/08/2017 at 7:53 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Bad Air News: Alert Extended Through Friday for Oregon, the Coast, Portland

(Oregon Coast) – That nasty, Mars-like red haze from forest fires around the Pacific Northwest and Canada is not going anywhere soon. Expected to disappear by earlier today, the weather pundits say it's sticking around at least through part of the weekend.

The air quality alert has just been extended for all of northwest Oregon, stretching now through Friday, when it's set to expire at noon. The alert was issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Southwest Clean Air Agency, and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency.

This includes the Oregon coast, which has not been too bad in recent days because of clouds. The Portland area and much of the inland region has been showing an air quality index of between 100 and 150 today (Tuesday), which is considered not healthy for sensitive groups.

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter

It's a set of numbers that is also worse than Beijing, China, and Los Angeles.

The National Weather Service's (NWS) Portland office passed on the latest alert earlier today.

“Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels due to smoke and ozone through midday Friday, August 11,” the NWS said.

NWS meteorologist Colby Neuman told Oregon Coast Beach Connection Tuesday that the smoky haze will go up and down over the next few days, getting worse during mid day, but it's possible it will get better at night (as it did Monday night). It's not expected to really start clearing out until Friday afternoon when the air quality alert ends.

However, Neuman said the NWS forecasts show the pollutants should be gone by Sunday if not on Saturday.

Luckily, the coast has been cloudy and foggy, which has decreased the pollution problems quite a bit in that area. He said it's possible things could worsen a little when the sun begins to pop back out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, however, as this weather pattern will stick around until Friday.

“The coast has been primarily socked in by clouds, and those water droplets pick up the particulate matter, and then the winds bring them into the hills and the trees and so on,” Neuman said. “The clouds clean the air to some degree by catching the particulates.”

Westerly winds will start arriving on Friday, which will begin pushing the air to the east – affecting the Oregon coast and the inland areas such as Portland, Salem, Silverton and the Cascade foothills.

Meanwhile, it's likely the afternoons will continue to have the worst air quality in the Portland area. Neuman said as the day begins warming the air quality deteriorates.

Much of the pollution sits aloft at 4,000 feet to 6,000 feet.

“As the afternoon is heating up, it mixes the air down and pulls the smoke down towards the ground,” Neuman said.

The forecast for the beach towns shows temps in the mid 60s over the next few days with a slight chance of showers on the weekends. Things will be partly to mostly sunny over those days. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

The Portland area forecast is showing around 90 degrees through Thursday and patchy smoke, with temps lessening down to the mid or upper 80s – and a slight chance of rain over the weekend. More Oregon Coast Weather








 

 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 



Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Swarm of Ten Quakes Off S. Oregon Coast, 7 Within Minutes
It started Monday and lasted through Wed morning near Bandon, Port Orford. Marine sciences, geology
Hatfield Marine Science Center's Marine Science Day Returns to Newport, Orego...
Science fair and open house on Saturday, April 13
Astoria, Oregon's Wine Competition Wraps Up, Announces Winners
Nearly 100 wines submitted by 24 wineries
Velella Like a Thick Carpet at Some Oregon Coast Spots
At least one spot near Newport is report large masses. Marine sciences
Oregon History Made as Coastal Lighthouse Near Florence Celebrates 130 Years
Saturday means tours of the BnB, raffles, live music. Florence events, Newport events
Cuteness on Parade: Gleneden Beach Pet Parade March 30 Benefits Oregon Coast ...
Gleneden Beach Pet Party and Parade near Lincoln City. Lincoln City events
South Oregon Coast Spring Break: from Whales to Deserted Beaches
Maybe a new spring break tradition could be in order? Check out these beach vibes. South coast events
Herbert's 'Dune' Not All Sci-Fi: Real Science Behind Oregon Place That Inspir...
OSU has been researching here for decades; Dunes also in trouble. Florence, south Oregon coast

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details