‘Shaking’ heat wave set to rewrite record books in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest


Top line

A heat wave has begun unlike any other in recorded history for the Pacific Northwest, with peaks in the typically temperate cities of Seattle and Portland, Oregon expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the next few days.

Highlights

A high-pressure system known as a thermal dome has parked over the Pacific Northwest, causing sweltering conditions for more than 13 million people people.

Portland, Oregon, is expected to be the first major city to face scorching temperatures, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high of 109 degrees on Sunday, breaking the all-time high of 107.

Seattle is expected to peak its heat on Monday, when the high is expected to reach 103, tying the all-time high mark.

Temperatures in Spokane, Wash., Are expected to hit 110 on Tuesday, breaking the all-time high of 108, with surrounding areas in eastern Washington getting even warmer.

University of Washington climatologist Cliff Mass said the “unsettling” heat that has moved means “it is not inconceivable” that parts of eastern Washington will reach 118 degrees, this which would be the hottest temperature on record in the state.

Crucial quote

“If you keep a written list of the records that will drop, you might need a few pages by the start of next week,” the National Weather Service office in Seattle tweeted Friday.

Surprising fact

The Pacific Northwest is generally one of the coolest areas in the United States during the summer. The high for a typical June day in Seattle is below 70 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The average June day in Portland or Spokane will not reach 74 degrees.

Key context

The summer has been historically hot across much of the western United States. A heat dome that loomed over the southwest last week has pushed highs well above 100 over virtually the entire region. The northwest heat wave will also bring a high risk of forest fires in the region, while forecasters also warn that the rapid melting of snow on the mountains could “produce destructive ice avalanches over long distances. “.

Further reading

Heat Dome set to set all-time records in western US this week (Forbes)




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