I’m sipping my coffee and reading about the latest news on CNN, and folks, it’s getting pretty wild out there. Apparently, Spokane had the worst air quality in the country as of Monday morning, with an Air Quality Index of 200, which is rated as “unhealthy” – particularly for children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions. I mean, who needs fresh air, anyway? It’s not like we’re talking about a minor issue here; the city briefly saw an index of 369 early Monday morning, which is more than seven times the upper limit for “good” air quality. That’s just crazy!
The main culprit behind Spokane’s poor air quality is wildfire smoke, but high temperatures, sunlight, and stagnant air are also contributing to the problem. I guess you could say it’s a perfect storm of pollution. The conditions are expected to worsen through Tuesday, potentially pushing air quality back into the hazardous range. Because, you know, it’s not like it’s bad enough already. And to make matters worse, heat will also begin to build back on Tuesday through the end of this week. Just what people need – a heatwave on top of toxic air.
Winds are expected to reverse today, switching from westerly to easterly, carrying smoke from the fires across the previously shielded interior Northwest toward Seattle and Portland. Both cities could experience air quality that is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” You know, because sensitive groups weren’t already having a tough time. The Cascades should prevent some of the smoke from reaching ground level in western Washington, but skies will become hazier and air quality could still deteriorate Monday night into Tuesday. It’s like the whole region is one big smoke-filled room.
The combination of smoke and rising temperatures this week could force people without air conditioning to choose between opening windows for relief from the heat and keeping them closed to prevent smoke from getting inside. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. I mean, what’s the point of even having a window if you can’t open it? It’s like the ultimate catch-22.
In conclusion, the air quality situation in Spokane and surrounding areas is pretty dire. With worsening conditions expected through Tuesday and heat building up, it’s a tough time for people in the region. But hey, at least we can all agree that breathing in toxic air is no fun at all. As I finish my coffee, I’m reminded that sometimes you just have to laugh at the absurdity of it all – after all, what’s a little smoke and heat when you’ve got a good cup of coffee to enjoy? 🙄
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
