National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Atmospheric River in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies this Weekend

A Pacific storm and atmospheric river will impact the Pacific Northwest states and northern Rockies this weekend, bringing locally heavy low elevations rain and heavy high elevation snow in the mountains. By Sunday over the Interior Northwest, rain combined with snowmelt will increase the risk of flood hazards. Flood Watches are in effect. Read More >

This satellite image was taken at 500 pm PDT on 13 Aug 2003. The image clearly shows smoke plumes from several wild fires in British Columbia, western Montana, and one in northwest Washington near Northport. If you look closely, in addition to the large smoke plumes in BC, you'll see several small plumes as well.

Satellite image of wildfires