Records were broken amid an unprecedented Pacific Northwest heat wave.
Some places set high temperature records
PORTLAND, Ore. — Intense. Prolonged. Record-breaking. Unprecedented. Abnormal. Dangerous.
That’s how the National Weather Service described the historic heat wave that is hitting the Pacific Northwest, pushing daytime temperatures into the triple digits and breaking all-time high-temperature records in places where many residents don’t have air conditioning.
Portland, Oregon, reached 110 degrees Sunday, breaking the all-time temperature record of 108, which was set just a day earlier.
In Eugene, Oregon, the U.S. track and field trials were halted Sunday afternoon and fans were asked to evacuate the stadium due to extreme heat. The National Weather Service said it hit 110 degrees in Eugene, breaking the all-time record of 108.
The temperature hit 103 degrees at Seattle-tacoma International Airport on Sunday. The National Weather Service said that tied an all-time record and was the first time the area recorded two consecutive triple digit days since records began being kept in 1894.
King County closed several COVID-19 testing sites because of the heat. Seattle opened additional public library branches Sunday, and will again Monday, to provide additional cooling centers, The Seattle Times reported.
Seattle’s light rail trains may have to operate at reduced speeds because of excessive heat on the tracks, causing delays that could continue into the workweek, Sound Transit said Sunday.
The heat wave also moved into Idaho, where temperatures above
100 degrees are forecast in Boise for at least seven days starting Monday. Cities were reminding residents where pools, splash pads and cooling centers were available and urging people to stay hydrated, check on their neighbors and avoid strenuous activities.
Still, about 3,000 athletes were scheduled to participate in an Ironman
Triathlon in Coeur d’alene, Idaho, on Sunday. The race start was moved up to 5 a.m. The event includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run.
Race organizers said they had 62,000 pounds of ice at hydration stations, misting stations and chilled towels to hand out to athletes, KHQTV reported.
The Coeur d’alene Fire Department brought in extra firefighters and paramedics because they usually see extra dehydration calls during the event. Rather than a crew of 17 firefighters, they will have a crew of 60 on Sunday, KREM-TV reported.
The National Weather Service in Coeur d’alene said this week’s weather “will likely be one of the most extreme and prolonged heat waves in the recorded history of the Inland Northwest. Unprecedented heat will not only threaten the health of residents in the Inland Northwest but will make our region increasingly vulnerable to wildfires and intensify the impacts of our ongoing drought.”
The high temperatures were forecast to move into western Montana beginning Monday.