Improved air quality in Okanagan, Kamloops won’t last

Enjoy the hazy sunshine, because it doesn’t look like it’s going to be around long.

The improved air quality conditions we are seeing today, Sept. 16, are not supposed to last.

An influx of cleaner air aloft made its way into Kamloops and the Okangan valley yesterday, somewhat alleviating the oppressive smoke from wildfires burning on the U.S. West Coast that was prevalent Sunday and Monday.

Air quality meteorologist Gail Roth said winds from the north and cleaner air in the upper atmosphere combined to scour out some of the smoke yesterday afternoon, leading to improved conditions this morning that are expected to last until this afternoon.

However, southerly winds should return later today, resulting in increasing amounts of smoke into the Thompson–Okanagan tonight and tomorrow.

Roth says even with the improvement over the last couple of days, we’re still looking at very poor air quality this morning.

Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon’s air quality index were at 7 this morning, which is considered high risk, and 5 or moderate risk, in Kamloops.

“Yesterday they were pretty much all up around 10,” Roth says.

“There should be pretty significant improvement over the weekend. It’s just the way the weather systems are sitting, they’re staying in the same place with the current configuration generally bringing smoke up from the south. That’s essentially continuing, but on Saturday a low pressure system off the coast is going to move on land, bringing instability with it and a more thorough mixing of the atmosphere,” she says.

She expects the air to begin clearing on the coast early on the weekend, with the interior following.

“It’s been pretty widespread, provincially,” she says of the smoke.

The province's air quality health index reflected a brief improvement in conditions early today with only Castlegar, Nanaimo and the south Okanagan ranked at the top of the 10-point scale.

But the index, which measures health risks from a combination of pollutants including particulate matter caused by wildfire smoke, shows a very high risk for southern B.C. later today and through Thursday.

The elderly, children and those with health issues are urged to reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor activities when risks are rated as high or very high.

Predicted smoke levels for Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 in southern B.C. | Credit: SUBMITTED / B.C. Asthma Prediction System

Predicted smoke levels for B.C. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. | Credit: SUBMITTED / B.C. Asthma Prediction System | Photographer:

— With files from The Canadian Press


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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