Heat Advisory issued for Western Washington with record highs possible

SEATTLE — The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for most of Western Washington.

The advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Monday as the highest temperatures of the year so far will blanket the area.

The hot temperatures will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially for people who don’t have a way to keep cool or stay hydrated.

Officials say you should be prepared to drink lots of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, keep out of the sun, and check on neighbors and family members.

“Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,” the alert from the National Weather Service said.

FORECAST

The forecast is right on track with sunshine, warmer weather and possible record highs!

I’m forecasting low 80s for Seattle on Friday and Saturday, and mid to upper 80s Sunday and Monday. There will be plenty of 90s near the Cascades and south of Seattle. This heat can be dangerous for those without air conditioning and also rivers will be running fast and cold with snowmelt. Cold water shock is possible there and on our lakes if anyone falls in unexpectedly.

Our records for the next few days are 81°, 85° for Saturday and 88° for Sunday, 85° Monday and 84° Tuesday. We will be around the record high temp each day!

Five days in a row of 80° or hotter in Seattle from the 12th through the 16th would be the earliest in a calendar year for such a stretch of 80-degree days.

We might not get to 90° in Seattle on Monday due to the potential impact of a nearing low-pressure disturbance, which could bring a few more clouds and even thunderstorms. The best chance for thunderstorms right now looks to be on Monday afternoon and evening across the southern one-half of the area, spreading north into Monday night.

It’ll be slightly cooler but still in the low 80s by Tuesday, with temperatures falling to the upper-70s and lower-80s beyond.

Fire danger will increase somewhat over the weekend, but in most locations, we’re still in the middle of the spring “green up” which will limit wildfire potential. The most susceptible locations will be the sides of highways where grasses can quickly dry out.

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