When the sun rose on Sunday morning, it was actually mostly visible. But the slightly better air quality didn’t stay for long.
In fact, it didn’t even last all morning.
The air quality for most of northern Utah was described as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” early Sunday morning, but quickly changed to “unhealthy” for all groups by late morning. The air is expected to get even worse as more smoke from West Coast wildfires makes its way to the Wasatch Front on Sunday afternoon. And it seems the smoke will stick around until at least midweek.
Late Saturday night, the National Weather Service tweeted a graphic with Sunday’s smoke forecast for the West that shows a huge purple blob rolling right over Salt Lake City. However, the organization pointed out that the forecast showed total atmospheric smoke, not surface smoke.
“Well your visibility won’t be as obstructed like it was Friday but skies will still be very smoky,” the weather service said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s national digital air quality forecast guidance page showed that more smoke is on its way to northern Utah on Sunday afternoon, while southern Utah will see clearing skies.
As smoke increases, the weather service is once again asking residents to limit time outdoors, close windows, and to keep air conditioner air intakes closed and filters clean.
According to the weather service, northern Utah isn’t set to receive any rain that could help alleviate the smoke this week, but it could still see clear, sunny skies by midweek.
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