(ETH) – A heatwave of unprecedented magnitude and duration is forecast to grip the Pacific Northwest this weekend and bring dangerously high temperatures that could make life miserable into next week for a region where air conditioning is not a fixture in most households.
Triple-digit temperatures are forecast throughout parts of Oregon and Washington, which includes the Interstate 5 corridor. Both Portland, Oregon, which could see the mercury crack the 110-degree mark, and Seattle, which is expected to top 100, could experience temperatures around 30 to 40 degrees above normal and challenge daily record highs.
Following a cooler stretch of weather, the dangerous heat is forecast to peak from Saturday through Monday as high pressure settles in and enables temperatures to climb to new heights.
“There are typically a few rounds of heat in the Pacific Northwest each summer, but this particular heatwave looks quite extreme,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson, who regularly analyzes weather patterns in the West.
Excessive heat watches and warnings, as well as red flag warnings for high fire risk, were plastered across the Northwest and across the border, issued by both the United States National Weather Service (NWS) offices Environment Canada.
“By Friday, highs will be in the 90s across most of the Pacific Northwest,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys. Many locations will then top the 100-degree mark this weekend, breaking daily and monthly record highs and even challenging all-time records at various locations. READ MORE
