Smoky sunshine and scorching weather for Seattle Friday

Friday to be hot and hazy

Skies will remain a bit hazy through Saturday as high smoke aloft creates moderate air quality.

Get ready for blistering temperatures in places Friday afternoon! It will also be smoky across Puget Sound and Seattle today.

Temperatures soar above average in Seattle Friday.

Highs reach 87 in Seattle Friday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Highs this afternoon will reach the upper 80s. A few neighborhoods near the Cascades and away from the water could hit about 90 degrees.

Hot weather is forecast once again in Seattle Friday.

Highs lift into the 80s for many places in Western Washington Friday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

It'll be dry, however, there's a small chance for a stray shower or thunderstorm. The communities with the best chance for lightning will be the Cascades and across Eastern Washington. This is where a Red Flag Warning is in effect throughout the day today. Lightning could ignite new fires. Gusty and erratic winds with these thunderstorms could fuel the growth of any flames.

Lightning and gusty winds could fuel new fires in the North Cascades Friday.

A Red Flag Warning is posted today for the North Cascades due to dry thunderstorms. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Stormy weather is possible east of Seattle Friday.

Spotty thunderstorms are possible over the Cascades Friday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

A Heat Advisory is posted for much of Puget Sound Friday. Stay hydrated and find ways to stay cool! Unfortunately, it'll be another uncomfortable night of sleeping weather for those without air conditioning.

There's a moderate risk for heat-related illnesses in Seattle today.

A Heat Advisory is in effect for Seattle and Puget Sound today. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Let's talk about the smoke. There will be hazy sunshine across Western Washington today from fires burning in Eastern Washington, but most of it will be higher in the atmosphere. This means that there will be a minimal impact on air quality at the surface. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is forecasting "moderate" air quality levels for its region. There could be "unhealthy for sensitive groups" levels in Lewis County (which is under the Southwest Clean Air Agency jurisdiction). Below is a snapshot of air quality levels from earlier this morning. Check here for the latest levels.

Smoky weather will lower air quality slightly in Seattle Friday.

"Moderate" air quality is forecast for many in Puget Sound Friday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Haze will linger over the region through Saturday before getting pushed back into Eastern Washington Sunday. This will be due to a westerly flow.

Cooler weather returns to Seattle Sunday.

Temperatures cool to the 70s Sunday in Seattle. (FOX 13 Seattle)

This same marine push will provide our area with morning clouds, afternoon sunshine and cooler temperatures on Sunday. Highs cool further to the low 70s Monday and Tuesday with mostly cloudy skies. The winds from the west will offer milder temperatures and cleaner air.