Northwest at Risk Due to Intense Heat Wave

Since this past weekend, temperatures in the Pacific Northwest have been rising, and according to AccuWeather meteorologists, this trend will continue for the rest of the week.

Most Severe Heatwave Hits Pacific Northwest at 102 Degrees, Cooling Centers Open Up — Photo: RODNAE Productions / Pexels

Intense Heat

Seattle is expected to see temperatures roughly 10 degrees Fahrenheit above average, with a high in the upper 80s F. On Thursday, the temperature may increase by a few degrees.

The heat will be more fierce the further south you go. Portland, Oregon, locals have already experienced four days with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher this season. Portland could have highs near 100 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially adding to the year's total of triple-digit temperatures. Five days with temperatures above 100 degrees in a calendar year set a record in Portland, and they occurred in 1941, 1977, and 2021.

Also Read : Heat Wave May Cause a Surge of Wildfires in the Northeast

Heat Wave on the Way

According to AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton, "once again, a large but prominent region of high pressure heading into the area implies that the Pacific Northwest is prepared to get into heat that will break records."

Although it appears that Wednesday's record high temperatures of 96 and 105 degrees in Seattle and Portland will not be broken, Thursday's events may be very different as the heat continues to increase. Both the Seattle and Portland records for the highest temperature on August 18 are currently at 88 and 99, respectively, and are in danger of being matched or surpassed.

On Friday, the temperature will begin to drop along the I-5 corridor, but it will likely stay a little over average for mid-August. Further inland, though, this won't be the case.

Inland locations like Pendleton, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho, the heat will last longer, according to Thornton.

Through the end of the week and maybe into the weekend, Pendleton's temperature is predicted to remain in the middle to upper 90s. Only the lower 90s may be reached in Boise on Friday, but the weekend will bring back medium to high 90s.

Weather Disturbances

Along with the heat, sporadic thunderstorms may form through Friday across a portion of the region, especially over the highlands. The thunderstorms' lightning will make the already-dry countryside more flammable.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, "a ripple in the jet stream may swing through part of the Northwest later this week and could generate patchy dry thunderstorms."

Any gusty winds close to the storms could swiftly spread the flames. Thunderstorms with lightning and little to no rain have the potential to start new fires. Over inland areas, the risk of these storms will be greatest.