Excessive Heat Warning Begins Friday In Renton

RENTON, WA — The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for much of Western Washington as a heat wave threatens to push high temperatures well past the triple-digit mark.

The warning begins Friday afternoon and will remain in effect until Monday evening. The National Weather Service warns that during the four-day stretch Puget Sound will see "dangerously hot conditions" with afternoon highs in the 90s in some areas and above 100 in many others.

Forecasters say they expect several record-breaking highs, and not just for June — some all-time high records are at stake. Overnight lows, meanwhile, will offer very little relief as they'll rise into the upper 60s and lower 70s.

Here are the latest projections for highs and lows in Renton:

• Friday: 89°/68°
• Saturday: 99°/72°
• Sunday: 104°/74°
• Monday: 106°/69°
• Tuesday: 94°/66°

During the heat wave, health risks will be very high for some residents, especially those without convenient access to AC or other means of cooling off. Older adults, young children, and people with mental illnesses or chronic diseases are at particularly high risk.

To stay safe, the weather service is offering a few heat-related safety tips, like:

• Drink extra water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothes.
• Never leave children or pets inside a car.
• Check on your family and neighbors, especially if they do not have AC.
• Avoid strenuous activity and limit your time outdoors.
  • In particular, the NWS advises staying out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. if possible.
• Cover windows with drapes or shades.
• Use fans or air conditioning to keep your home cool.

Some communities will also be opening cooling centers to help residents who do not have access to air conditioning. The King County Library System will welcome people seeking a reprieve from the heat at several branches, including in Kirkland and Woodinville. Seattle also announced more than two dozen beaches, pools and spray parks would be open by Saturday, along with several air-conditioned library branches.

As for pet safety, experts say to limit your pet's exercise, keep them indoors and provide ample water and shade. They also warn to watch out for hot pavement while out walking your pet, and stress to never leave a pet inside a hot car.

If you're hoping to beat the heat by getting out on the water: be careful. Despite the swelteringly hot temperatures, the waters of the sound will still run very cold, and can still cause cold shock or hypothermia.

The heat will also increase the risk of fire danger, so be on alert if you are camping and grilling — and don't leave a hot vehicle running over dry grass.

If we can tough out the hot, hot weekend, some relief is on the way. By Tuesday, highs should be back in the lower 90s and upper 80s for the interior. The coast will be even cooler, with temps in the mid to low 70s. Temperatures should continue to cool off through the mid-week, though forecasters predict they will likely still remain higher than normal.

Patch reporter Charles Woodman contributed to this story.