Here’s what’s in the forecast that’s keeping Whatcom County free of wildfire smoke
(Editor’s note: Whatcom County this summer has, for the most part, been spared the hazy smoke that has plagued much of the Central and Eastern United States due to Canadian wildfires. This story from 2021 explains why.)
Skies across Whatcom County and the rest of Western Washington will be free of wildfire smoke this weekend, thanks to south and west winds that are keeping temperatures cool.
Hundreds of wildfires are burning across the West, including in British Columbia, Eastern Washington, Oregon and California.
But summer’s most prominent weather pattern — temperate breezes off the Pacific Ocean — are keeping the smoke at bay for now, said Maddie Kristell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“That’s certainly what we’ve been seeing. As long as we have a westerly flow, it will keep the smoke away,” Kristell told The Bellingham Herald.
Computer models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show a stark contrast in smoke density between areas west of the fires and regions to the north and east, all because of the wind direction.
But that could change, and Kristell said it’s a good idea to buy an air purifier, or build a box fan filter, and keep extra filters on hand.
“That’s certainly a good choice, we can’t foresee that we’ll have the westerlies for the rest of the summer,” she said.
Despite the cooler temperatures, a statewide Stage 2 burn ban remains in place, outlawing all fires except propane and charcoal grills.
This story was originally published July 16, 2021 at 12:18 PM.
CORRECTION: The story was updated Tuesday, July 20, 2021, to reflect that both workshops are aimed at those who live near Lake Whatcom.
