How is the visibility/air qulaity/smog level? (Portland: cities, required)

[dtmoss14]

Particularly around portland, Columbia gorge area?

Thanks.

[dtmoss14]

I guess it varies? Hmmmmm

[Larry Caldwell]

On hot summer days, you can sit in the west hills and watch an orange layer of photochemical smog form over east Portland. When the forest is on fire, the air is full of smoke from forest fires and slash burns. When the weather is cold, the air is full of smoke from wood stoves. Like all cities, the air stinks most of the time from exhaust and industrial emissions. When there is a west wind, the air tends to be fairly clean but sort of hazy. When there is an east wind, particularly in the winter when it is coming right off the arctic circle, the air can get crystal clear.

I once sat in one spot in the high Cascades and saw all the way from Mt. Baker in the north to Mt. Shasta in the south. The Olympic Range was close enough to reach out and touch. That was once, in 60 years, which required being in the right place at the right time to see that sight. Most days, you are lucky to be able to see Mt. Hood from Portland.