How long will this heat and low air quality last in Oregon, Southwest Washington?

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A rare September heat wave bringing triple-digit temperatures, low air quality and an increased risk for wildfires is lingering around the Pacific Northwest, so how long will this last?

Records were made on Thursday when Portland reached 102 — the third time in recorded history for hitting triple digits in September. Forecasted highs on Friday could hit the upper 90s around the region, but that could be tamped down if wildfire smoke blanketing the region knocks out the sun’s powerful rays.

So how much longer will Oregon and Southwest Washington feel the heat? And when will it feel like fall?

How long will the heat wave last?

TLDR: Conditions will start to improve over the weekend, but slowly.

Portland and Vancouver will see more hazy sunshine and wildfire smoke on Friday. In fact, more wildfire smoke is expected starting Friday evening through Saturday morning.

KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern says residents should expect to smell smoke and that the air quality will likely drop into the unhealthy category in Portland through Saturday.

However, relief is on the way.

“By Sunday, the smoke should continue to thin with much improvement by Monday thanks to a stronger westerly wind pattern,” Bayern said, adding the dominant high-pressure pattern that brought on the record-breaking temps will leave by the start of the week.

So when will it start to feel like fall?

The strong winds from the west starting on Monday will herald more seasonable weather.

“Temperatures will fall into the 70s and bring in a nicer autumn feel to the city next week,” Bayern said.

As for precipitation, there’s a chance for showers on Wednesday.

Stay with KOIN 6 News for the latest weather forecast.

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