Spokane, Wash. – A smoky haze is hanging over Spokane late Monday morning, softening the skyline while warmer air steadily builds across eastern Washington. The reduced air quality is the immediate concern today, but a stretch of dangerous summer heat is waiting just behind it.
According to the National Weather Service and the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, an Air Quality Alert remains in effect through 9 a.m. Tuesday for Spokane County because of smoke from regional wildfires. Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI 101-150) category at times, especially where smoke becomes more concentrated.
Residents in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Deer Park, and Rockford may notice hazy skies and the smell of smoke throughout the day. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions, should reduce time outdoors and avoid strenuous activity when smoke thickens. Keeping windows closed and using HEPA filtration can improve indoor air quality.
Monday’s temperatures climb to 93 degrees despite the haze. The heat intensifies Tuesday with a high near 98 degrees, then peaks Wednesday around 101 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Afternoon heat will combine with dry conditions to increase heat stress across the Inland Northwest.
Drivers along Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 2, and U.S. Highway 395 should be prepared for occasional reductions in visibility where smoke becomes denser. By Thursday, temperatures remain near 101 degrees, and there is a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m., although widespread rainfall is not expected.
Looking beyond the five-day period, climate outlooks continue to favor above-normal temperatures into next week, suggesting summer heat will remain a dominant weather story across eastern Washington.
Are you seeing thicker smoke or clearer skies where you live? Share what conditions look like in your neighborhood.
Five-Day Forecast for Spokane, Washington
- Monday: Hazy with partial sunshine. High 93° | Low 65°
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and hot. High 98° | Low 65°
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot. High 101° | Low 67°
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, hot, with a 20% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High 101° | Low 66°
- Friday: Sunny and hot. High 96° | Low 64°
