Heat advisory extended as hot weather continues to scorch western Washington
SEATTLE — Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue across western Washington through the first half of the week, with highs forecast in the mid to high 90s for parts of the region.
The National Weather Service extended the heat advisory currently in effect for the central Puget Sound area and the Cascades through Wednesday evening. The heat advisory issued for areas along the coast is expected to end Tuesday morning, while the advisory will remain in effect for all other areas until Tuesday evening.
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KOMO News Meteorologist Shannon O’Donnell said Tacoma reached 100 degrees on Monday, while Olympia hit 99 degrees and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reached 95 degrees. The NWS Seattle office said downtown reached 91 on Monday, breaking the daily record high temperature.
But we’re not out of the woods yet. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Tuesday, with most locations in the interior expected to be a few degrees higher than on Monday.
The NWS said high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and lows in the lower to mid 60s for areas of the Puget Sound region will pose a “moderate to major risk of heat-related illness.” The hottest locations will remain in urban areas and along the Cascade foothills and valleys.
A red flag warning remains in effect for parts of the Cascades until Tuesday night. A red flag warning means warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds are expected to combine to increase the risk of fire danger.
Officials across the region are reminding residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors during the heat wave. Cooling centers have also opened across the western Washington region.
According toPublic Health – Seattle & King County Tuesday morning, there have been 36 emergency department visits for heat-related illness countywide between July 4-7. Sunday saw a high of 16 emergency department visits for heat-related illness.
The Seattle Department of Transportation said crews were out spraying cool water on steel bridges in the city Monday to prevent the movable steel parts from expanding during the extreme heat.
O'Donnell said Wednesday will mark a day of change as stronger onshore flow from the Pacific attempts to chip away at the heat. Temperatures are expected to fall back into the mid 80s around the Sound Wednesday, and then fall into the lower 80s by Thursday.
Temperatures are forecast in the 80s this weekend, but not nearly as hot as it has been across the region.
Officials shared the following list of safety tips and things to do to help prevent wildfires:
- Properly discard cigarettes
- Keep vehicles off dry grass
- Avoid activities with open flames or sparks
- Avoid power equipment that creates sparks
- Obey burn bans
- Evacuate if smoke/fire is heading your way
- Evacuate if ordered to do so