Western US: Summer heat to surge this week

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

May 30,2016; 8:45PM,EDT

 

 

After a mild and dry Memorial Day, warmth will build across much of the western United States.
The warmth will likely yield the hottest weather of the year so far into the weekend, especially interior locations. Record highs will likely be challenged across a widespread area.

The impending heat will be a drastic change from what the Northwest has recently experienced.
"[Temperatures], the last 1-2 weeks have been near- to below-normal," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jim Andrews said.
Seattle has not recorded a high above the 60s since May 13.
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As high pressure builds overhead, Andrews said that temperatures "will be off to the races" this week.
The initial surge of warmth Tuesday into Wednesday will cause temperatures to rise into the lower 80s in Seattle. Temperatures will once again flirt with the 90-degree Fahrenheit mark in Portland.
Between the two days, Tuesday will be the warmest for places toward the coast. Wednesday will bring significant warming east of the Cascade Mountains.
A pair of storm systems clipping the Northwest will put the brakes on the warming trend around Thursday. A couple of showers will return to northwestern Washington. However, it will still remain warm for early June in the Northwest and heat will build farther to the south and east.
The ignition switch for the heat will once again be turned on Friday and into next weekend as the jet stream lifts northward.

"Especially in the interior Northwest, we will be looking at record-challenging highs with 90s in the lower valleys and 80s in the higher valleys," Andrews said.
Yakima, Washington; Medford, Oregon; and Boise, Idaho, will even be near the century mark.
A wind off the Pacific Ocean will keep the immediate coast significantly cooler. A slight marine influence will also put a lid on the heat in Seattle, but temperatures should still climb to the lower 80s.
Residents can stay safe during the impending heat by drinking plenty of water, wearing light clothing and avoiding strenuous activity during the midday and afternoon hours (the hottest times of the day). Take frequent breaks if the latter cannot be avoid.
"[The warmth] will renew the spring thaw in the mountains," Andrews said. "That will swell streams that drain out of the higher mountains."
Residents should also resist the urge to jump into these streams as the water will be dangerously cold.
"This week will also be a dry time, so the region will dry out and increase the fire danger," Andrews said.
Thunderstorms sparking wildfires will be limited, but could increase toward the end of next weekend if a new system tracks inland and cuts into the heat.