Brace yourselves. Another heat wave is coming, though this time less severe than the record-shattering wave experienced back in late June.
The Twin Cities late this week will see temperatures in the high 90s before cooling off over the weekend, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service Seattle. An excessive heat warning went into effect Wednesday for much of the region and is expected to expire Saturday evening.
Temperatures were forecast to hit 98 on both Thursday and Friday at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport. It’s unlikely temperatures will creep into the triple digits at this time, though.
“It’s looking like Saturday will be a little cooler, but it will still be in the low 90s. Then, starting next week, we’ll be back to your regularly-scheduled 80s,” said Mary Butwin, a meteorologist with NWS Seattle.
Butwin said this weather system is similar to the one experienced in June, just less severe: A “heat dome” triggered by high-pressure atmospheric conditions combined and trapped with hot oceanic air is resulting in prolonged oppressive heat, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Cooler temperatures will be observed along the coasts and up in the high mountain ranges, according to NWS Seattle.
Dozens of wildfires are currently burning in Washington, Oregon and in northern California. The Puget Sound got a taste of smoke just days ago, but intermittent rain showers and a new weather system blew them out.
Butwin said while it’s possible a thin layer of wildfire smoke could accumulate early next week, it’s not expected to be thick.
“Right now, we’re not expecting any impact to the air quality,” she said, noting that may change down the line depending on wildfire activity.
The all-time highest temperature recorded at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport during the month of August was 103 degrees, set back in 1981. Butwin said it’s highly unlikely that record will be broken.
With records going back to 1902, the Chehalis-Centralia Airport has recorded temperatures above 100 degrees only five times.
The all-time, highest-recorded temperature of 107, set back in July 2009, was actually tied during the historic heat wave on June 28. Previous reports had the heat clocking in at 106 degrees at around 3 p.m. that day.
Lewis County Cooling Center Locations:
Timberland Regional Library
Centralia and Chehalis locations:
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mountain View (Randle):
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Packwood:
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Salkum:
Thursday: Noon to 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Winlock:
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
River Valley Community Health
424 Williams St, Mossyrock
Hours of Operation: Thursday through Friday only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Salvation Army
303 N. Gold St, Centralia
Hours of Operation: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
]Fire District 10 – Packwood
12953 U.S. Highway 12, Packwood
Hours of Operation: Thursday through Friday only, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glenoma area
Contact Phil Congdon at 360-498-5337 if interested in utilizing the cooling center locations.
