Little relief in sight as Northwest endures extreme heat
AccuWeather meteorologists say that the record-challenging heat will last a few more days, but more prolonged heat could be in the offing.
Unusually warm conditions swept across the Northwest in recent days, with some locations seeing their first 90-degree day of the year. Now, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the summerlike conditions felt during the middle of May could stick around for a majority of the month.
As AccuWeather meteorologists accurately predicted, the intense heat began for most locations late last week, as temperatures skyrocketed to levels more akin to summertime.
Friday through Monday, Portland, Oregon, reached into the 90s, approaching the sweltering mark for the first time since Sept. 26. Each day's maximum temperature, reaching up to 93 F on Saturday, was high enough to break all three daily high temperature records.
In Seattle, temperatures reached the middle 80s on Saturday afternoon, 20 degrees above the historical average this time of year. Even without reaching the 90-degree mark, a new daily high temperature record was also set that afternoon. Seattle then broke Sunday's daily record high, peaking at 89 F during the afternoon. Monday was hardly any cooler, with an 88 degree reading for the high temperature.
Elsewhere along the West Coast, Redding, California, surged to 96 degrees on Saturday, with the past three days getting into the 90s for a high temperature. Fresno reached up to 99 F on Sunday, while Bakersfield climbed to a scorching 102 degrees. This marked the city's first day in the triple digits this year.
Farther north in Canada, the heat wasn't quite as extreme but was still rather abnormal for the middle of May. Vancouver climbed to 76 F on Monday, which is 15 degrees above the historical average for the date date. Edmonton saw even more unusual heat, climbing to 86 F on Monday. Typically, temperatures only reach the lower 60s there this time of year.
"Impressive and even record-breaking heat will continue for much of the Northwest, perhaps extending through the whole week in some spots," said AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton.
It's been over a decade since Seattle reached 90 degrees in May; the last day of 90 degrees or higher during the month of May, was on May 17, 2008.
Meanwhile, during all of last May, in 2022, Portland and Seattle both struggled to reach 80 degrees, let alone 90 or higher. The last time Portland reached 90 in May was on May 28, 2021.
The heat is intense for this time of year in the Pacific Northwest, but experts say that temperatures will still fall well short of the extraordinary, all-time record highs set back in the summer of 2021. In late June of that year, Portland hit an all-time record of 116 F, while Seattle set an all-time record of 108.
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As the week progresses, much of the Pacific Northwest is expected to continue to see abnormally mild conditions. For some, the only cooling relief this week will be when wet weather moves into the region.
On Monday, portions of the Northwest can expect a couple of showers, as well as a few rumbles of thunder. By Tuesday, the rain is forecast to reach Seattle, bringing the heat to a crashing halt.
"High pressure will dominate the pattern and for the most part, but still, a retrograding storm will bring in the potential for afternoon thundershowers. Locations that get them will see brief cooling during the day, thanks to the clouds and precipitation," Thornton explained.
While afternoon high temperatures in the middle 70s to the lower 80s is a noticeable change, it is still 10 or more degrees above the historical average for mid-May.
"Once the storm dissipates and moves out of the Northwest, the sizzling heat is likely to return," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Joseph Bauer.
Widespread temperatures in the 80s are expected to return by the end of the week and could last into next weekend. Once again, any episodes of wet weather could bring a brief reprieve from the abnormal warmth. However, AccuWeather meteorologists say any long-lived rainfall is not expected in the coming week.
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