Oregon – A pale haze hangs low over the Willamette Valley this morning, softening skylines and muting distant hills. The air feels heavy and still, with little movement to clear out pollution as the day gets going.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, an Air Stagnation Advisory is in effect from early morning through Friday afternoon. Light winds and limited air movement are allowing pollutants to build near the ground across northwest Oregon, including Portland, Eugene, Salem, and surrounding valley communities.
Air quality may gradually deteriorate during this period. People with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions could notice symptoms more quickly. Outdoor exertion may feel more difficult, especially during the afternoon when pollution concentrations peak.
Calm, cold mornings add to the problem. Patchy frost and fog develop early, then give way to sunshine by midday. Highs climb into the upper 50s and low 60s, but the warm-up does little to improve air circulation. Wood smoke and vehicle emissions linger longer than usual.
Officials recommend limiting outdoor burning and reducing unnecessary driving when possible. Keeping windows closed during peak afternoon hours may help indoor air quality. Those sensitive to poor air should consider adjusting exercise routines until conditions improve.
By Thursday, sunshine continues and temperatures remain mild, but the stagnant pattern holds. Some relief may arrive late Friday as winds begin to increase and clouds thicken ahead of a wetter weekend pattern.
Looking toward the Feb 6–8 weekend, rain chances rise and air quality should improve as the atmosphere mixes again. Longer-range outlooks point to above-normal temperatures into late next week, hinting at an early taste of spring once this stagnant stretch breaks.
If you’re spending time outside today, notice how the air feels where you live. Are you seeing haze settle in?
Five-Day Outlook for Portland, Oregon
- Today: Patchy frost early, then mostly sunny, high near 62°F
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 59°F
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 60°F
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 60°F
- Saturday: Slight chance of rain, high near 58°F
