Nick Allard

Today is a PinPoint Alert Day and a big turning point—not only because this will likely be the hottest day of the year so far, but because the heat is setting the stage for a much different weather pattern later today. As temperatures climb well into the 90s, increasing clouds, hazy skies, and the chance for thunderstorms tonight have prompted a Red Flag Warning for parts of Western Washington, where dry lightning could spark new wildfires.

The Kyiv Independent's Martin Fornusek speaks with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, at the 2026 NATO Summit about the lessons NATO is drawing from the war in Ukraine and how the alliance is preparing for the future of warfare.

After Tuesday's weak weather system slides through, we're heading back into a fairly typical late July pattern. High pressure gradually rebuilds over the Pacific Northwest, bringing more sunshine and temperatures climbing back into the upper-70s and lower-80s by the end of the week.

Today's weather story isn't that we're getting rain — it's that the weather system bringing our chances for rain is likely falling apart before it gets here.

SEATTLE — When people think about weather affecting Seafair weekend, rain is usually the first thing that comes to mind. This year, however, the bigger forecast concern may actually be the clouds.

When people think about weather affecting Seafair weekend, rain is usually the first thing that comes to mind. This year, however, the bigger forecast concern may actually be the clouds.

In this report, the Kyiv Independent's Dominic Culverwell and Nick Allard travel to Ukraine's agricultural heartland, documenting how two brothers survived Russian occupation, rebuilt their farm from scratch, and continue to harvest under the increasing threat of Russian FPV drones.

The next few days won't just be hotter—they could get smokier, too. Wildfire smoke is forecast to move into Western Washington, raising the possibility of hazy skies and reduced air quality through the middle of the week.

We're waking up to another smoky start across Western Washington, with air quality ranging from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups , and some locations briefly reaching the unhealthy category.

Meanwhile, conditions remain much more concerning east of the Cascades. Red Flag Warnings continue through Friday and Saturday as afternoon and evening westerly winds of 20 to 40 mph combine with low humidity to create dangerous fire weather conditions. Gusty winds will likely continue into next week, keeping the fire danger elevated even if conditions aren't quite as critical as they are today and Saturday.