Published: July 4,2015
June and even a few all-time record highs were shattered in parts of the interior Northwest, northern Rockies and Great Basin early on in this heat wave.
Heat Alerts
Current Temperatures
(MORE: Northwest Heat Wave By the Numbers)
The extreme heat has even broken or tied records for longevity as well. For example, Yakima, Washington, saw its ninth consecutive day with highs in the 100s on Saturday. This is the longest stretch of days with triple-digit heat on record in the city, beating the previous record of eight days set July 18-26, 2013. Boise, Idaho, recorded its ninth straight 100-degree day of this heat wave on Saturday. This ties as the record longest number of days in a row in the 100s, there.
We've seen numerous daily record highs the last few days, and more are possible through the holiday weekend and into early week in Oregon, Washington and northern Idaho.
Here are some of the recent daily records that have been set:
- Medford, Oregon, tied its daily record on Wednesday (108 degrees).
- Eugene, Oregon, set daily record highs Wednesday (99 degrees), Thursday (101 degrees) and Friday (100 degrees).
- Seattle set daily record highs on Thursday (93 degrees), Friday (92 degrees) and Saturday (92 degrees).
- Kalispell, Montana set daily record highs on Friday (95 degrees) and Saturday (96 degrees). Helena, Montana also set daily record highs on Friday (98 degrees) and Saturday (99 degrees).
The culprit in this hot setup is a dome of high pressure aloft, that has surged northwestward to encompass a large area of the western states.
Hot Into the New Week Ahead
Highs well into the 90s and triple digits are expected in many lower-elevation locations from Idaho to Oregon and Washington this holiday weekend and into early week. This is where temperatures will be 5-20 degrees above average the next several days.
Forecast Highs
Epicenter of the Heat
In particular, parts of the Columbia Basin and lower Snake River Valley will see particularly extreme and persistent heat. This includes cities such as Yakima, Kennewick and Walla Walla in Washington as well as Lewiston, Idaho. Temperatures will surge towards upper 90s or low 100s through the holiday weekend.
These very hot conditions have led to heat advisories for portions of the Northwest including Seattle, Portland and Eugene.
(FORECASTS: Seattle | Portland | Boise | Salt Lake City)
Compared to what the more arid Great Basin is used to, evening and overnight temperatures will be slow to drop, bottoming out in the upper 60s and 70s in the hottest locations.
This heat appears to be locked in place well into the new week ahead across the Northwest, though perhaps somewhat muted compared to the magnitude of the heat we've seen so far. There may be some hope on the horizon, with temperatures reaching closer to average late in the week. In addition, the northern Rockies will see some significant cooling on Sunday.
(MORE: Cooler From Montana to the Midwest)
The hot, dry weather is also causing a high fire danger, as drought conditions have worsened over the Northwest and northern Rockies in the spring.
(MORE: Wenatchee, Washington Wildfire)
In mid-May, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statewide drought emergency, and spring runoff from winter's paltry snowpack was expected to be the least in 64 years.
Seattle has seen only 8 days with measurable rain since May 1, one-third the average number of such days, according to NWS-Seattle. Portland, Oregon, set a new record June dry streak of 24 straight days through last Saturday, according to NWS-Portland.
One of the biggest factors in heat wave deaths is not only the magnitude, but also the longevity of the heat.
- Seattle will see highs in the low 90s for several more days. On average, they typically see the 90-degree mark only three days a year. They've seen five days in the 90s from this heat wave through Saturday.
- Portland, Oregon last saw triple-digit heat in August 2012. They could approach the 100s Sunday into Monday. The city may also make a run at its longest streak of 90-degree days; that was a 10-day streak in 2009. Through Saturday they had recorded six days in a row with highs in the 90s.
- Medford, Oregon may see triple-digit highs every day into at least Monday.
Those playing or working outdoors, as well as those without access to air conditioning, will face an elevated risk of heat-related illness. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 25 percent of homes, apartments, condos in the states of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming do not have air conditioning.
Remember to never leave kids or pets unattended in cars and drink more water than usual. Wear light-colored clothing and keep your head and body cooler with a hat. Take frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
(MORE: Earth's Record Year? | How Hot is Too Hot?)
Meteorologist Chris Dolce contributed to this report.
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