Portland, Oregon is just a few days away from potentially breaking its record for most 90° or above days in a year.
The Rose City has seen 22 days of 90° or above heat so far this summer, putting it way above the typical annual number of 12. With more heat scheduled for this week in the same area, more 90°-plus readings are all but a sure bet, with the mercury perhaps soaring close to 100° on Wednesday and Thursday.
It’s not just northwest Oregon that’s dealt with this level of heat. Up I-5 in Seattle, Washington, they’ve seen 24 days of 85° or above heat through Monday, with another 85° or above day slated for Tuesday and Wednesday. Seattle’s record for 85° or above days is 27, according to the National Weather Service office there.
Today was Seattle's 23rd day this year at or above 85 degrees. The record is 27 set last year. We're on track to tie the record on Thursday. Last year, the record was not set until September 28th. In other words, there are good odds of breaking it this year. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 6, 2018
This is part of what’s been an unusually hot and dry pattern across the West that’s contributed to the high number and coverage of wildfires. A consistent ridge of high pressure has kept the Northwest baking in above average temperatures all summer long. That trend will hold true for the rest of the week, likely getting both Seattle and Portland closer to exceptional all-time records for summer heat.
Stay with WeatherNation to see if Portland breaks the record and for the latest on the Northwest heat all summer long.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Chris Bianchi