High temperature records fall Tuesday – will there be more?

The latter part of July is historically the hottest time of the year, and this year has been no exception as the Pacific Northwest heat wave continues.

Prior to last year’s late June ‘heat dome’ that crushed the region’s all-time record high temperatures, late July of 1998 and the heat wave of 2009 held many daily record high temperatures including former all-time records on July 29, 2009. SeaTac Airport hit 103 degrees that day, Olympia 104, Everett – Paine Field 100, and Bellingham 96 degrees.

Records fall as Northwest swelters under multiday heat wave

So it is tough to break daily high temperatures this time of year, but on Tuesday, several records were broken. SeaTac Airport reached 94 degrees, topping the daily record of 92 set in 1998. Olympia also edged its previous record high of 96 degrees in 1998 with 97 degrees. Shelton’s 98 degrees surpassed the old record of 95 also set in 1998. Bellingham joined the new daily high-temperature record club, hitting 90 degrees, beating the old record of 86 in 1988.

In Eastern Washington on Tuesday, a number of places reached triple digits with Hanford the hot spot at 110 degrees. Temperatures east of the Cascades are expected to heat up a few more degrees the next few days. And even in the mountains, temperatures on Tuesday were ‘hot’ with Stampede Pass topping off at 91 degrees.

Overnight low temperatures Tuesday were also quite warm with a few new record ‘high’ low temperatures set. The new records included Sea-Tac Airport with 65 degrees, and Everett-Paine Field only dropping to 64. Nighttime temperatures are expected to remain quite warm the next few nights for tough sleeping weather for those without air conditioning, and that happens to be about 55 percent of the Puget Sound region’s homes.

Despite continued hot temperatures the next few days pushing into the 90s in many places, it will be tough to break the current daily records, but they will be threatened. For Wednesday, July 27, the record for SeaTac Airport is 95 in 1998, Olympia 99 in 1998, Shelton 99 in 1958, Everett – Paine Field 88 in 2009, and Bellingham 90 in 1958.

Thursday, July 28, the record highs are even higher. SeaTac Airport was 97 in 2009, Olympia 101 in 2009, Shelton 100 in 1998, Everett-Paine Field 92 in 2009, and Bellingham 90 in 2009.

The region’s heat wave is expected to gradually moderate by late this week as cooler air from the Pacific begins to filter inland.

In the meantime, stay cool by finding places with air conditioning for at least a few hours each day and stay hydrated. The cooler locations will help relieve the heat stress on your body. If outside, avoid strenuous activities during the heat of the day. In addition, if your plans include enjoying being on area waterways to cool off, remember to wear a life jacket. Area waterways remain cold with Puget Sound in the 50s, and lakes and rivers no warmer than the 60s, particularly not far under the surface.