News & Stories

Excessive heat warning extended through weekend for Western Washington

July 29, 2022 / 8:22 am

caption: Construction workers including Cristian Ley, left, cool off in the shade during a lunch break at a construction site along Brooklyn Avenue Northeast on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in the University District of Seattle.

Relief from the heat is not coming as soon as previously hoped now that the National Weather Service has pushed out its excessive heat advisory through Sunday evening.

Western Washington will experience temps above 90 through the weekend. Forecasts as of Friday morning show temperatures dropping below 90 on Monday.

Oregon health officials are now investigating up to four deaths that could be tied to the current heat wave. King County officials report that they have not seen any locally, yet, although there have been at least 28 heat-related emergency room visits recorded since Tuesday.

With more 90s in store, here is 5 of the warmest 5 day stretches in Seattle ( using avg. high temps ).
1. 97.2° June 25-29, 2021
2. 95.8° July 26-30, 2009
3. 95.0° Aug. 7-11, 1981
4. 92.8° July 20-24, 2006
5. 92.6° Aug 9-13, 1977.
Current forecast 92.6° July 26-30, 2022. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) July 29, 2022

The ozone alert for the Cascade foothills has also been pushed out. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency cautions that air quality is either "unhealthy" or "unhealthy for sensitive groups" in "the Cascade foothills of King and Pierce counties, particularly Issaquah east, North Bend, and Enumclaw." Air quality is expected to improve Sunday or Monday.

Air quality in the Cascade foothills will be USG to UNHEALTHY in the afternoons Thurs-Sat due to ozone. This is due to extreme temps. Take steps to stay cool and avoid outdoor activities from 1 to 7 PM. AQ should return to GOOD or MODERATE by Sun/Mon. https://t.co/wNKa1N7m26 pic.twitter.com/sFoDbskM5E
— PS Clean Air Agency (@pscleanair) July 28, 2022

And one more alert: There is now a phase 1 burn ban in King County. That means no burning of yard debris, or clearing land, in rural areas. Recreational fires are still OK.

The King County Fire Chiefs Association, King County Fire Marshals Association, and the King County Fire Marshal are implementing a Phase 1 burn ban, effective Friday, July 29.

The restrictions apply to all yard debris burning. pic.twitter.com/tt09p14uXS
— King County, WA (@KingCountyWA) July 28, 2022

More updates on KUOW's Today So Far Blog

Why you can trust KUOW

Dyer Oxley
Online Editor/Producer

Dyer Oxley joined KUOW as an Online Editor/Producer in 2020, handling day-to-day upkeep of the station’s website while providing editorial oversight. He also helms KUOW’s Today So Far newsletter, an insightful daily roundup of what KUOW is reporting ... so far.
More stories from Dyer Oxley »
Angela King
Morning News Host

Angela King is the local host of Morning Edition. She’s been a part of the northwest news scene since the early 1990s. A proud University of Washington alumna, with degrees in broadcast journalism and American ethnic studies, she started her career as a news writer in Seattle, before becoming a reporter and anchor in Seattle, Portland and Albuquerque.
More stories from Angela King »