Shift in winds causes air quality problem
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – A shift in the winds meant the weekend rain was not as heavy as predicted. The winds out of the north northeast also blanketed the area in haze from wildfires in southeastern Washington and northern Oregon.
“It’s going to take a few more days before we get a really strong push of winds from the west side to move in and clear it out,” National Weather Service Hydrologist Marilyn Lohmann said.
The smoky air is unhealthy, but the National Weather Service forecasts it could have a positive effect as well. There is an excessive heat watch out for the region today (Tuesday) and Wednesday, with highs of up to 105 degrees. However, meteorologists say that the haze could help hold those daytime highs down a bit.
