Weather
Heat Warning Extended; Record PNW Temperatures Should Peak Monday
The heat dome shattered records across the region over the weekend, but Monday's temperatures are likely to break them all over again.
SEATTLE — A weekend of historic heat in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest could be outshined Monday when afternoon temperatures are forecast to soar once again to never-before-seen highs.
Late Sunday afternoon saw Seattle break its all-time temperature record, reaching 104 degrees at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport just before 5:30 p.m. The new record looks certain to be shattered within 24 hours, with the Emerald City and many of its neighbors poised to break into triple digits for a third consecutive day. Before the weekend, Seattle had just three days at or above 100 degrees on record.
This is in addition to this morning's all-time record high minimum of 73. This makes the mean temperature for today a rather incredible 89 degrees.
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) June 28, 2021
Seattle was far from alone in setting records over the weekend in Western Washington, including new all-time highs reached in Olympia, Shelton, Hoquiam, Port Angeles and Stampede Pass. Outside of Washington, Portland broke its temperature record both Saturday and Sunday and is forecast to break it a third time Monday. In British Columbia, the rural village of Lytton logged the highest temperature ever recorded in Canada.
Lytton's official high temperature today June 27, 2021 is 46.6 C. Lytton BC now holds the record for Canada's all time maximum high. The previous record was 45.0 C set on July 5, 1937 at Yellow Grass, and Midale, SK.
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) June 28, 2021
Monday remains on track to be the hottest day in the historic heat wave, but the National Weather Service has extended its excessive heat warning through the end of Tuesday, citing limited relief expected along portions of the Interstate 5 corridor, Eastern Puget Sound and the Cascade foothills.
Here's what forecasters expect Monday
The scorching hot weekend was just a preview for Monday's finale, where temperatures in many Puget Sound cities could hit or surpass 110 degrees. For the Seattle metro, forecasters placed the best odds around 107 degrees, with the potential for temperatures as high as 114 degrees. At the airport, the latest forecast puts the high right at 110 degrees Monday, besting Sunday's record by another 6 degrees.
The hottest afternoon temperatures in Puget Sound are sure to be seen outside of Seattle proper. Here are a few more of the stunning highs forecast in Western Washington on Monday:
- Issaquah: 116°
- North Bend: 115°
- Sammamish/Redmond/Bellevue: 113°
- Enumclaw/Puyallup: 112°
- Kirkland/Lakewood/Gig Harbor: 111°
Put into a national context, many Puget Sound cities are likely to exceed records in other cities across the United States, potentially reaching higher temperatures than places like Atlanta, Houston, New York City, or Washington, D.C., have ever seen.
Along with the extreme heat, a red flag warning will also be in place Monday for King, Pierce and Lewis counties, with heightened concerns for more brush fires.
A large wildfire is already burning east of the Cascades, near the town of Lind in Adams County. State officials estimated the fire's size at 20,000 acres and growing Sunday and said flames were threatening homes, crops and infrastructure.
Wildfire Alert Adams Co - SR 21 remains closed near town of Lind for fast moving brush fire. With these extremely high temperatures please is extreme caution outdoors. #wawx pic.twitter.com/WuhEntiUTX
— Trooper J. Sevigney (@wspd4pio) June 27, 2021
Some relief Tuesday, with a little more Wednesday and Thursday
Despite the extended warning, afternoon temperatures in most areas should be less dramatic Tuesday. High heat risks are expected to persist east of I-5 and in the Cascade valleys, which may still see afternoon temperatures nearing 100.
By Wednesday, temperatures should fall back in the 80s across the interior, and even cooler along the coast. Even with the reprieve, NWS Seattle meteorologists note temperatures will remain above normal through at least Independence Day weekend. With no rain in sight, increased fire dangers will remain.
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