MYNORTHWEST NEWS

‘Urban heat islands’ in full swing as heat wave continues

Jul 26, 2018, 9:54 AM

heat...

(Matt Pitman/KIRO Radio)

(Matt Pitman/KIRO Radio)

If you’re having trouble cooling off at night, it may be because you’re living on a “heat island.”

RELATED: We hit rare number of 90-degree days

The “urban heat island” effect is in full swing, according to KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard. The result: Warmer overnight low temperatures.

These heat islands are essentially widely-developed urban areas that absorb solar energy during the day and release much less heat at night.

“So, overnight lows … will continue to make it very difficult to cool off dwellings without air conditioning or a lot of ventilation,” Allard says.

For those living in cities around Western Washington, that means several more days of discomfort before a bit of relief.

The latest forecast calls for highs to remain in the upper-80s — flirting with the lower-90s — through Sunday. The Torchlight Run and Parade on Saturday will be a hot one.

Sunday will be one of, if not the, hottest day we’ve seen around Seattle.

Relief comes starting Monday, with highs dipping to the 80s.

By Tuesday, highs are back in the 70s.

MyNorthwest News

fleeing pierce county driver...

James Lynch

VIDEO: Pierce County deputies use airplane to track fleeing driver who tried hiding in backyard pool

A Pierce County pursuit ended with a 37-year-old man being pulled, soaking wet, from a backyard swimming pool in Parkland.

7 hours ago

Lakewood police...

Manda Factor

City of Lakewood puts police chief on leave

The City of Lakewood has put its police chief on leave.

8 hours ago

firing seattle officers...

James Lynch

Teen accused of firing on undercover Seattle officers can’t be charged as an adult under WA law, prosecutors say

A teen whom King County prosecutors said was part of a trio that opened fire on undercover officers is now facing a series of felony charges.

8 hours ago

Washington...

Tyrah Majors, KIRO 7 News

Washington climbs in CNBC’s Top States for Business ranking, but concerns about costs remain

CNBC’s latest America’s Top States for Business ranking placed Washington 11th in the nation, up three spots from last year when it ranked 14th.

9 hours ago

Thurston County Jail...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Independent investigation requested after woman falls critically ill at Thurston County Jail

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a 29-year-old woman fell critically ill while in custody at the Thurston County Jail.

10 hours ago

seattle mayor katie wilson budget deficit billion...

Jillian Raftery

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s ‘impromptu boogie’ with Seattle rapper draws public safety criticism

You may have seen the video on Instagram, originally posted by Seattle rapper Y2K. Wilson stands next to him at a sports field and bobs to his anthemic track "SEA."

10 hours ago

‘Urban heat islands’ in full swing as heat wave continues