When you think of Seattle, what probably comes to mind is the Space Needle or neverending rain—not a low-lying grayish haze and a glowing red sun. (Blood orange sun?) But thanks to wildfires raging in British Columbia and, as of Tuesday, Seattle’s longest ever dry spell, the city is pretty unrecognizable. There was even an excessive heat warning since cold, rainy Seattle’s daily high temperatures haven’t dipped below 80 degrees in almost two weeks. Since only one in six Seattle homes have air conditioning, the “help me I’m dying” jokes are no joke, people! The smoke is even delaying planes at the airport. In the last week, the city has transformed from this…
…to this.
You know it’s bad when your weather forecast is literally just “smoke.”
Checking in on Seattle weather from Philly. Um, 84 and “Smoke”…? pic.twitter.com/zU9CcUP6eB
— (((Goldy))) (@GoldyHA) August 3, 2017
Others saw the perfect opportunity for a joke.
We get it Seattle…you smoke weed. pic.twitter.com/kwkp8rhAOu
— Chief Pennon (@PeachesandTyler) August 3, 2017
And some have already accepted that death is near and survival is futile.
“Can’t die from B.C. wildfire smoke inhalation if you’ve already melted to death inside your apartment.” #Seattle pic.twitter.com/HDUQLRoy2s
— Jon Humbert (@jonhumbert) August 2, 2017
Please send help.
It’s 59F in #Seattle with smoke & winds at NW2.37mph https://t.co/USkcAMSeqK pic.twitter.com/vcfTVwDYAk
— Seattle Weather (@SeeSeattleWX) August 8, 2017
The side-by-side before and after pics have me SHOOK.
Monday evening on Lake Washington versus Tuesday evening. Smoke from #bcwildfires blocking view of #MountRainier. #wawx pic.twitter.com/A2zB4rjMYh
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 2, 2017
Seattle before & after the #BCwildfire smoke. pic.twitter.com/DA8LmGMeiq
— Brad Fitzpatrick (@bradfitz) August 3, 2017
Looks like even the sky is embracing the rose gold trend…
White Hole Sun – #BCFires #Seattle #smog pic.twitter.com/tQNReYwYob
— Rhymes with Camera (@SellmanWriter) August 3, 2017
…when’s it’s not just straight-up gray.
Um, honestly terrifying.
As the moon was setting, its faint light shined through a deeper layer of smoke and the red shade intensified quickly. #wawx #nightsky pic.twitter.com/3Y2a0CypQo
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 4, 2017
The sky looks like this without a filter—who needs Valencia when you’ve suddenly got air pollution?
At least it’s resulted in some aesthetic photos.
even in a smokey haze seattle is still stunning pic.twitter.com/9AJHILblFl
— lezlo (@lezleezapatka) August 3, 2017
Until this postapocalyptic haze passes, catch me hiding in the OG Starbucks store downtown & praying I don’t have to volunteer as tribute.