NASA Satellites Track Pacific Northwest Marine Cloud Layer

NASA Satellites Track Marine Cloud Layer Across Western Washington and Oregon

Morning stratus pushed inland to the Cascade foothills before largely dissipating by late afternoon.

NASA Earth-observing satellites tracked a broad marine cloud layer across western Washington and Oregon on September 19, 2026. Driven inland by cool Pacific air over several nights, low stratus clouds and fog reached the Cascade foothills before dissipating across most inland areas by late afternoon.

NASA Earth-observing satellites recorded a low-lying marine cloud layer blanketing western Washington and Oregon on the morning of September 19, 2026. Driven by cool air pushing off the Pacific Ocean, the layer of fog and low stratus clouds extended inland as far as the western foothills of the Cascade Range.

According to the National Weather Service, the cloud formation followed several consecutive nights of marine air flowing onshore. While lower elevations remained covered throughout the morning, higher topography broke through the cloud deck. Taller peaks in the Olympic Mountains and the Oregon Coast Range protruded above the white overcast.

Clearing Captured by Afternoon Satellite Pass

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA's Terra satellite observed the regional cloud cover at approximately 10:45 a.m. Pacific Time (17:45 Universal Time). Observations taken during the morning pass also detected wildland fire smoke settling into valleys within the North Cascades.

The extensive morning cloud deck broke up as the day progressed. When NASA's Aqua satellite flew over the Pacific Northwest at around 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time (23:15 Universal Time), skies had cleared across the vast majority of the region, though patches of marine clouds continued to hover along parts of the Oregon coast.

Frequently asked questions

What caused the extensive morning clouds across Washington and Oregon?

According to the National Weather Service, cool marine air from the Pacific Ocean pushed onshore over several consecutive nights, forming low stratus clouds and fog that moved inland to the Cascade foothills.

Did the cloud cover persist throughout the entire day?

No. By approximately 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time on September 19, NASA satellite imagery showed skies had cleared across most of the area, though some marine clouds lingered along the Oregon coast.