Cooler, hazier Wednesday expected around the PNW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Early morning showers and storms will leave much of the Portland metro cooler and hazier Wednesday.

The thunderstorm activity seen in parts of the Pacific Northwest Tuesday night will die out Wednesday morning, but will leave behind slightly cooler conditions. Afternoon temperatures are still expected to warm into the upper 80s and even into the 90s for some Wednesday.

Hazy skies will likely help filter some of the harshest sun rays out by the afternoon hours. High-elevation smoke from wildfires burning across the western half of the country will contribute to milky skies. Some air quality impacts may be felt Wednesday around the Portland-Vancouver metro area. However, most of the smoke will remain high in the skies.

The lack of rainfall, hot temperatures and dry fuels will continue to keep the wildfire threat elevated in eastern Oregon. The chance for a few isolated thunderstorms around the Pendleton area could also increase the wildfire threat Wednesday.

Summer-like temperatures will continue to climb this week with highs returning to the mid 90s around the Portland area Saturday. This latest round of heat is short-lived. Slightly cooler and potentially cloudier weather returns Sunday.

Temperatures will stabilize to near-normal conditions for the middle of July by the start of next week.