The National Weather Service’s (NWS) weather prediction center issued a dangerous heat warning for the western coast of the U.S. on Monday.
Dangerous levels of heat are expected to pound the West Coast, stretching from Washington, Oregon and California, all the way to Idaho, according to NWS. Heat warnings, watches and advisories are in place throughout the region, with stark temperature contrasts between day and night potentially evoking more health risks than a typical heatwave.
Portland, Salem, Eugene, the Willamette Valley and Medford — all in Oregon — are all in the top-risk areas, where heat is expected to last through the nights. Those without reliable access to cool air should already be planning the best means of surviving this weather event, NWS said.
Here are our latest Key Messages for the Northwest U.S. Heat Wave: pic.twitter.com/UWgydXtZXG
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) August 14, 2023
“High temperatures will be in the low to mid-100s for most interior locations, with 90s around Puget Sound. Numerous near record-tying/breaking highs are possible. Overnight lows will be near record-tying/breaking warm levels as well, providing little relief form [sic] the heat overnight,” NWS wrote in its full forecast. “These temperatures combined with the duration of heat, expected to continue through this week, will increasingly pose a heightened health risk, especially for those without adequate air conditioning.” (RELATED: ‘Extremely Dangerous And Long-Duration’ Catastrophe Hits The Southwest, NWS Says)
Excessive heat warnings are also in place for Phoenix, Arizona, where residents are being told to “avoid exposure to the sun from 10am to 6pm.” In July, Maricopa County residents were filling up ICUs and emergency rooms with severe burns, some of whom were injured after falling onto hot sidewalks.