The first 90-degree heatwave is expected in Northwest

Unseasonal Heat Grips the Pacific Northwest: Record Temperatures Loom

The Pacific Northwest is bracing for an early and intense heatwave as summer approaches. Cities like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, are poised to experience their first 90°F (32°C) temperatures of the year this weekend, a significant departure from the region’s typical early June climate.

Unprecedented Warmth Expected

The impending heatwave is driven by a high-pressure system building over the western United States, replacing the cooler, low-pressure systems that have dominated the region in recent weeks. This atmospheric shift is set to elevate temperatures well above the historical averages for early June.

In Portland, the forecasted highs for Saturday and Sunday are expected to challenge or even surpass the city’s daily temperature records. The record high for Saturday is 93°F (34°C) from 1948, while Sunday’s record stands at 94°F (34.4°C) from 1955 according to AccuWeather.

Seattle, traditionally cooler, is also set to experience unseasonably high temperatures. While not expected to reach the 90s, the city is forecasted to see highs well into the 80s°F (around 29°C) on Sunday and Monday, approaching the daily record of 87°F (30.5°C) set a decade ago.

Widespread Heat Across the Region

The heatwave will extend beyond the major cities. Smaller towns east of the Cascades, such as Spokane, Washington, are expected to experience highs in the lower 90s°F (around 33°C) over the weekend, potentially breaking daily records. In Omak, Washington, temperatures could approach 99°F (37.2°C) by Monday, challenging a long-standing record from 1918.

Temporary Relief Ahead

The high-pressure system responsible for the heatwave is expected to shift eastward by the middle of next week, bringing temperatures back to more typical early June levels in the 60s and 70s°F (15-25°C). However, the brief respite may be short-lived, as the summer season progresses. Meteorologists are monitoring the potential for further heat events as the year unfolds.

This early-season heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the changing climate patterns affecting the Pacific Northwest, highlighting the need for preparedness and adaptation to increasingly frequent and intense weather events.