More Heat Records Fall As Puget Sound Temperatures Peak

SEATTLE — Cities across Puget Sound hit triple digits for a third time Monday, as a historic run of extreme heat came to a crux and shattered even more temperature records in the Pacific Northwest.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hit 108 degrees around 6 p.m., handily outdoing the all-time heat record set just 24 hours before. Monday now holds the title for the hottest day at the airport since official records began in 1945. In North Seattle, the National Weather Service logged an afternoon high of 107 degrees at its Sand Point offices, surpassing 2009's all-time record by two degrees.

Other heat records set at official monitoring stations around the region include:

• Olympia: 110°
• Old record: 105° (6/27/2021)
• Bellingham: 99°
• Old record: 96° (7/29/2009)
• Quillayute: 110°
• Old record: 99° (8/9/1981)

The record high of 110°F at Quillayute didn't just barely break the previous high, but shattered it by surpassing the previous highest temperature by 11 degrees! Yesterday's record at Hoquiam was similarly remarkable, setting a new mark by 8 degrees! (Map via @Climatologist49) pic.twitter.com/Oi1NG3iHLf
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) June 29, 2021

Temperatures around the Eastside were similar to Seattle's highs, cresting between 109 and 110 degrees in Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah and Sammamish, according to hourly NWS data. Monitoring equipment at Renton Municipal Airport also recorded an afternoon high of 109 degrees.

In Pierce County, temperature readings showed Monday highs of 109 degrees at JBLM, 108 degrees at Thun Field and 104 at the Tacoma Narrows Airport.

In Oregon, the Portland Airport breached 116 degrees at 5 p.m., demolishing the previous day's all-time record and landing among some of the highest temperatures ever recorded across major U.S. cities. Preliminary temperature readings at two sites in Washington appeared to tie the statewide temperature record of 118 degrees.

At least two stations in Washington reached 118°F today: Dallesport, WA (KDLS) and Sol Duc River at Quillayute Rd (SDQW1). However, these readings are preliminary at this time, and will need to be certified before they can become official and be placed in the record book. #wawx https://t.co/959u41IcsE
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) June 29, 2021

The extreme heat spell brought its share of headaches to Western Washington, including buckling pavement on the freeways, power outages and brush fires. A fire that ignited south of Issaquah grew to 30 acres by late Monday afternoon, as flames burned beneath high-voltage powerlines and complicated firefighting efforts from the ground and the air.

More emergency crews are heading to this scene as the fire is spreading to nearby trees and brush. Two lanes are closed on northbound I-5 just north of Marine View Dr. pic.twitter.com/qcsD8Cm2rg
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 28, 2021

We have another pavement buckle, this one on northbound I-5 at NE 195th St. The two center lanes are blocked. The HOV lane is open to ALL traffic in this area. pic.twitter.com/fk2Vk7VBjh
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 28, 2021

While the highest highs should be in the rearview mirror, an excessive heat warning remains in place through Tuesday. Very hot temperatures are likely to persist across the interior, potentially nearing triple digits for a fourth day in the Cascade valleys and other areas furthest from the water.

Unusually warm overnight lows will remain much higher than average but should begin to cool Tuesday. Temperature estimates for Wednesday and Thursday afternoon are in the mid-80s for the Seattle metro and Olympia, and slightly cooler for Everett and Bellingham.