PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland and much of Oregon has been dealing with harmful air quality for a week as wildfires continue to burn across the state. On Wednesday, the air quality in the Portland metro area and Salem remained hazardous and much of Western Oregon ranged from very unhealthy to hazardous. Check the air quality in your area
There should be some change though in the coming days, according to KGW Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino.
“Would we ever trade clouds and rain and wind for smoke, and you know what, that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” he said.
Smoke, and likely unhealthy air, is expected to stick around on Thursday. There may be minor improvements Thursday evening.
An offshore system will move inland Thursday night and Friday, Zaffino said. The main change begins on Friday when the smoke is expected to start breaking up. Zaffino said to expect gradual improvement before the weekend arrives. Smoke forecast models show what appears to be a thinning of the smoke in Portland and Western Oregon on Friday.
The noticeable improvement comes over the weekend, according to Zaffino. He said that’s when the smoke is going to get pushed by the offshore system coming from the Northwest, which will bring cooler and smoke-free air.
Rainfall is also expected in the coming days. Portland could get up to a half-inch of rain by Saturday night and Salem could see up to a quarter-inch.
“It may not completely end fire season but it will greatly diminish the fires and fire season will have been dealt a good blow,” Zaffino said.