Heat is on This Weekend Throughout the Northwestern U.S.

The mercury is going to soar across the Pacific Northwest starting this weekend with the chance that cities such as Seattle and Portland could challenge daily record highs. Read on for a closer look at this sizzling forecast.

Temperatures Forecast to Soar This Weekend in the Northwest

The heat is about to crank up across the northwestern U.S. as an emerging area of high pressure pushes out the zone of low pressure that has been responsible for locally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms through the middle of the week. While the heat will not impact the coastal part of the West to a great degree, some areas farther inland will see readings hit the 90s for the first time of the season. These temperatures are well over the historical average for the beginning of June.

Local officials are warning residents to be cognizant of the early-season heat. Many people will not be acclimated to the warmth of this magnitude, making it important to stay hydrated, lather up with sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade if spending an extended period of time outside.

The temperatures will begin to trend upward on Thursday and Friday before taking off over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be the warmest days for the region.

For instance, Portland will see temperatures hover in the upper 80s on Saturday before reaching the mid 90s on Sunday and Monday. Should this forecast happen as predicted, it will be the first 90-degree readings of the year for the Rose City. Portland typically sees its first 90-degree days of the year closer to the end of June, making this heat wave a bit ahead of schedule. The first average date for 95-degree heat in the metro area is July 21.

Temperatures could break long-standing record highs on both days this weekend. The current record for Saturday, June 6, is 93 degrees, dating back to 1948. While this record is likely to remain in place, it will be a different story on Sunday. The record for this date in history from 1955 is 94 degrees. The current forecast models predict that the mercury will hit 96 degrees to bring the weekend to a close.

It will not be quite as warm in Seattle, however, temperatures will still land well above the norm for the first full weekend in June. Highs are likely to hit the upper 70s on Saturday with top readings in the mid 80s on Sunday and Monday. Sunday will likely be the warmest day of this stretch with the daily record of 87 degrees in reach. An abundance of sunshine will help to make the real feel readings feel even toastier in the Emerald City.

It will be even warmer to the east of the Cascades. For instance, Spokane, Washington, will challenge daily records on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday when readings climb into the low 90s. The city in the northeastern corner of the Evergreen State will enjoy plentiful sunshine and lows that bottom out in the low 60s during this stretch.

The interior portions of the Northwest will also be a scorcher this weekend. The resort town of Chelan, Washington, will likely break the century mark on Sunday and Monday. The intense sunshine with little to no clouds will make it feel even hotter.

The normally cool coastal areas will also get in on the heat action. Cannon Beach, Oregon, is forecast to reach the 70-degree threshold on Sunday. Temperatures normally hover in the upper 50s during this time of the year. Sunny skies will make it a beautiful day to get out and enjoy the beauty of this coastal region.

Dangers of Excessive Heat in the Pacific Northwest

Heat waves in the Pacific Northwest are inherently more dangerous than in other areas of the country. According to research from the Haas School of Business at the University of California in Berkeley, only 53% of buildings in Washington are equipped with air conditioning. This is the second-lowest percentage in the country, coming in behind Alaska. Neighboring Oregon only boasts an air conditioning rate of about 75%.

A deadly heat wave that enveloped the Northwest in June of 2021 was responsible for the loss of several lives in Washington and Oregon. A resulting study out of the National Weather Service (NWS) revealed that homes were the hottest between the hours of 9 pm and 11 pm.

The heat is forecast to break by the middle of next week. You can expect the temperatures to slide back down to normal levels in the 60s and 70s during this time. For example, Seattle will top out with temperatures in the low 70s on Wednesday before slipping into the mid 60s on Thursday.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.