Marine Stratus Clouds Blanket Pacific Northwest on September 19

NASA’s Earth Observatory captured a thick layer of marine stratus and fog over western Washington and Oregon on September 19, 2026. MODIS imagery from the Terra satellite showed the cloud band extending from the coast to the western foothills of the Cascade Range, with the Olympic Mountains and Oregon Coast Range standing out as island‑like peaks above the cloud deck. The clouds formed when moist marine air moved onshore under a temperature inversion, cooling enough for condensation. Smoke from wildland fires in the North Cascades also appeared in the lower atmosphere. By 4:15 p. m. Pacific Time, the Aqua satellite recorded clearing skies over much of the region, though some coastal clouds lingered. The National Weather Service noted the persistent marine layer and its impact on local weather patterns.