Intense Heat Expected to Challenge Records in Pacific Northwest Over Weekend

Intense heat that has been baking parts of the interior Western U.S. is expected to expand into the Pacific Northwest in the coming days, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses and new wildfires, according to an AccuWeather media advisory.

Forecasts show temperatures pushing 10–20 degrees above historical averages in parts of the interior Northwest. This will challenge daily record high temperatures, the advisory said. AccuWeather meteorologists expect temperatures to surpass the daily high record of 103 degrees in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, and records could also be shattered in Boise, Idaho, with temperatures climbing well above 100 degrees.

A surge in electricity demand is anticipated with more air conditioners, fans and cooling equipment running around the clock.

“The heat is not going anywhere in the intermountain west or much of California,” said AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno. “It’s been an incredibly hot summer, and it’s far from over.”

Threat of New Wildfires and More Smoke

AccuWeather expert meteorologists say there is a “high” risk for wildfires sparking through this weekend in parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana and Wyoming, adding that the “high” risk for wildfires will shift further northwest next week. Senior meteorologist Dave Houk said storms are possible along the edge of the jet stream bulge around the area of high pressure that will dominate the region’s overall weekend weather pattern.

“Many of the storms may bring little or no rainfall but could produce lightning,” he said. “Dry storms with lightning could potentially spark new wildfires.”

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Rising temperatures and light winds could further reduce air quality across much of the West and Northwest, the advisory noted. Air quality is already impacted by fires burning in the U.S. and Canada. Smoky and hazy skies could drift across the northern Rockies and continue pushing east in the coming days.

To the north, in Canada, a storm is expected to move across British Columbia next week, which could bring some rain to parts of coastal and interior British Columbia. AccuWeather expert meteorologists say stronger wind gusts and dry thunderstorms could increase the risk of wildfires next week in southern British Columbia and western Alberta.

Summer Heat to Stick Around

AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said there is little relief from the heat in sight for millions of people in the West.

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“We expect the summer heat to stick around right through August for people in central California, eastern Oregon, and most of Nevada and Idaho,” Pastelok said. “The stubborn area of high pressure responsible for it will continue to bake these areas, drying out vegetation and likely setting new record temperatures in the coming weeks.”