Record heat is on tap for much of the Pacific Northwest and will persist into early next week. High temperatures will generally be 10 to 25 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year. In some cases, it may be the hottest weather ever recorded this early in the year.
Such high temperatures can become dangerous for those exposed to the elements for lengthy amounts of time, as heat exhaustion and dehydration may set in. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and schedule plenty of rest in cool, dry areas.
Forecast Highlights
Forecast Highs
Forecast Highs
Yakima, Washington, may see its highest temperatures on record for so early in the season and will flirt with the all-time June high of 105 degrees set on June 23, 1992.
The average high for Yakima, Washington for the first week of June is 78 degrees. Contrast that to the 95 degree high recorded there on Saturday.
By Sunday, Yakima is expected to smash the current record of 96 degrees with a forecast that calls for temperatures to break the century mark. The triple-digit heat is expected to continue into Tuesday. Yakima has never recorded a temperature of 103 or higher before June 16 since records began in 1946, but it may reach that mark Sunday or Monday.
(MAPS: 10-day Forecast)
Most areas in Washington and Oregon, however, will not see temperatures over 100 degrees. Those readings will likely be confined to the Lower Columbia Basin and parts of the Yakima Valley, as well as the Rogue Valley of southwest Oregon.
Parts of the Sacramento Valley of northern California could also soar into the 100s in the days to come. Some locations that are expected to tie or break daily high temperature records include:
- Pendleton, Oregon: Forecast to hit the upper 90s on Monday (record: 98 degrees).
- Redding, California: Thermometers hit 102 degrees on Saturday, and they are forecast to hit 100+ degrees through Monday, though record highs of 109 Sunday and 111 Monday (both set in 2013) will be very tough to beat. The current record high of 104 Tuesday, however, may be broken.
- Spokane, Washington: Thermometers are expected to reach the low to mid 90s on Sunday (record: 95 degrees), Monday (record: 91 degrees) and Tuesday (record: 93).
The heat will shift east Sunday and Monday and will stretch from the Northwest coast across Idaho, Montana and into the Dakotas. A few daily record highs may fall in Idaho and Montana as well.
(MORE: Record Heat in March for Parts of the West)
Monday's Highs and Departure From Average
Glacier National Park will see temperatures climb to near 90 degrees, which will threaten daily record highs on Sunday (88 degrees) and Monday (89 degrees).
Missoula, Montana will also be in reach of current records on Monday (91 degrees) and Tuesday (90 degrees). The warmest temperature so far this year in Missoula has been 82 degrees on May 31, so this will easily be the first taste of summer this year.
Boise, Idaho will see temperatures surge into the mid-90s, possibly breaking the record high on Monday of 96 degrees set in 1890, as well as the current record of 98 degrees on Tuesday.
Seattle and Portland, Oregon will also see temperatures warmer than expected for this time of year. Highs in the 60s and 70s started June. Seattle did reach 82 degrees on May 28 and Portland hit 85 degrees on May 28 and June 5. Highs in Seattle will climb into the 80s, with Portland likely reaching the upper 80s. The average high in Seattle for early June is in the upper 60s, and Portland usually sees highs in the lower 70s. This warm spell comes after the warmest winter on record in both Seattle and Portland.
(MORE: Warmest Winter on Record)
One other interesting tidbit regarding this heat: Temperatures in mid-levels of the atmosphere will flirt with the warmest readings ever seen during the first half of June and may even near all-time records for the month, according to the National Weather Service in Spokane.
What is Causing the Record Heat and How Long Will It Last?
A strong upper-level ridge will build in from the Pacific, cover much of the Northwest beginning Saturday and will last until early week. This ridge of high pressure will lead to drier and much warmer conditions.
As this area of high pressure begins to slowly slide east, the core of the heat will move east as well.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)
The good news is that cooler air gradually returns by midweek.
A shortwave trough will pass through western Canada, which will push a weak, but dry cold front through the region. Meanwhile, weak troughing is expected to develop off the West coast. This will lead to a gradual cooling trend. However, temperatures will still likely remain above average through the week.
This subtle pattern change may also draw some moisture back northward and result in a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms midweek.
MORE: Dozens Hospitalized During L.A. Marathon Due to Record Heat
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