Puget Sound Weather: Heat Dome Exits, But Hot & Dry Days Continue

SEATTLE — Much of Western Washington breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday, as the historic heat wave that brought three days of extreme heat to Puget Sound moved eastward. On the west side of the Cascades, most in the lowlands saw afternoon highs fall into the 80s Tuesday, with temperatures in some places down by nearly 30 degrees from Monday's record highs. Relief was more limited east of Interstate 5 and at higher elevations, without the benefits from the marine layer.

Spokane, by comparison, reached 109 degrees Tuesday afternoon, besting Seattle's Monday record by one degree and logging its hottest day since official records began in 1881.

For Puget Sound, the worst of the heat has passed, and the forecast heading toward Independence Day looks relatively stable. However, temperatures remain higher than usual for this time of year, and no rain on the horizon means heightened fire dangers will last through at least the holiday weekend.

Afternoon temperatures Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to land in the low-to-mid 80s for most around Seattle and Olympia, and a touch cooler in Tacoma. Temperatures on the coast are forecast in the 60s. A slight warming trend is expected for the weekend, returning to the upper 80s or lower 90s across the lowlands.

After reaching record overnight lows during the heat wave, the nights ahead also look to be more pleasant, with mostly clear skies and temperatures in the low 60s.