EUGENE, Ore. – Thick smoke and rising temperatures will keep drivers and residents in Lane County on alert through midweek. The mix of haze and heat is already cutting visibility across the Willamette Valley, especially along I-5 near Eugene, as smoke lingers through Wednesday. Travelers should plan extra time and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the smoky afternoons.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, Eugene will climb into the upper 80s Tuesday and Wednesday under smoky skies. The haze will begin lifting late Wednesday night as winds turn north, opening the door to a cooler and cleaner fall pattern. Highs will fall closer to seasonal norms by Thursday and Friday, easing the late September heat wave.
Communities across Lane County, from Springfield to Creswell, will feel the impacts of poor air quality through Wednesday night. Drivers on Highway 126 toward Veneta should expect reduced visibility during the afternoon peak. Residents are urged to keep windows closed, run air purifiers if available, and limit outdoor exercise.
By Thursday, temperatures will cool into the upper 70s with clearer skies returning. That shift marks the region’s first real taste of fall, with cooler evenings hinting at the season ahead.
Warnings remain in place until smoke disperses fully Wednesday night. Residents should stay alert for air quality advisories that may extend if winds fail to clear the haze.
Five Day Forecast for Eugene, Oregon
- Tuesday: High 86°F, smoky skies, light north wind.
- Wednesday: High 87°F, smoke early, clearer by night.
- Thursday: High 79°F, sunny, cooler evening.
- Friday: High 77°F, sunny, mild.
- Saturday: High 82°F, mostly sunny, warm fall day.
