Pacific Northwest to Join the East Coast in Unseasonable Heat

The East Coast will not be the only part of the country roasting in the days ahead. A heat wave is also starting to spread across the Pacific Northwest. Read on for a closer look at just how toasty it will get in various parts of the U.S. as the weekend approaches.

Record-Breaking Temperatures Persist Through the Weekend Along the East Coast

Record heat is forecast to hit the eastern U.S. for the next few days. Right on the heels of the East Coast heat wave, the Pacific Northwest will also get in on the unseasonable warmth.

Heat advisories have been issued for a large swath of the Midwest and the East. A number of the nation's largest metro areas are under some degree of heat alert, including New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Raleigh. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues heat advisories when the combination of heat and humidity may be dangerous to those with underlying health conditions. This is the lowest level of heat alert used by the NWS.

The mercury began to rise on Thursday across much of the eastern half of the U.S. Daily record highs could fall in the next few days from Georgia to New England as the heat builds.

Widespread readings in the 90s will be the norm for millions of Americans heading into the weekend. The 90-degree readings may creep as far as Vermont. For instance, Boston is forecast to see highs near 90 degrees on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday will likely feel the warmest, thanks to the most sunshine expected on this day.

Temperatures that climb into the triple digits are possible for portions of the Carolinas and Virginia. Places such as Raleigh could see one of its earliest 100-degree days on record if this forecast comes to fruition. The earliest recorded date at this threshold happened in 1895 when the temperature reached 100 degrees.

The heat wave is predicted to peak on Friday. However, the hot and muggy weather is forecast to persist through the weekend, bringing the chance of more record temperatures in southern parts of Virginia and down into the Carolinas. Forecasters are also warning that the increase in humidity will help to fuel scattered thunderstorms at times this weekend in the eastern two-thirds of the country.

The temperatures will begin to return to more seasonable levels on Sunday in the interior portions of the Northeast as a strong cold front pushes in from the Plains states. The rest of the East Coast will see the relief by Monday, while the Southeast may need to wait until Tuesday. Places such as New York City will tumble from highs in the low 90s on Friday and the weekend to a top reading of 80 degrees on Monday. By Tuesday, the mercury will struggle to climb out of the mid 70s.

When and Where to Expect the Heat in the Northwest

Just as the heat peaks in the eastern U.S., the Northwest will also begin to feel the full wrath of summer. Highs are forecast to soar into the 80s across much of Washington state, including Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. It will be even hotter in Oregon, with highs expected to hit the 90s in Portland, Salem, and Eugene. Like the eastern U.S, new records may be set in this part of the country.

Seattle is expecting highs to reach the upper 80s by Monday. The World Cup games in Seattle kick off on Monday at noon local time when Belgium takes on Egypt. Players and fans will want to plan for highs of about 87 degrees. The silver lining is that the presence of scattered clouds will help to take the edge off of the temperatures. In addition,  the stadium design features a cover over about 70% of the spectator seating. However, the pitch is completely exposed to the elements, spelling potential trouble for players and coaches.

Although this may seem especially hot for most Americans, this corner of the country is not accustomed to this level of heat. Most homes in the Seattle area do not have central air conditioning, amplifying the potential negative impacts to vulnerable populations.

Temperatures will reach the triple digits throughout the Central Valley of California. The capital city is bracing for a high of 103 degrees on Friday under mostly sunny skies. Highs will approach this threshold again over the weekend.

The long-range forecast models indicate that this heat will persist into the early part of next week for the western U.S. For example, Seattle will be back in the mid 70s by Tuesday. This is more typical of what temperatures you would expect to find in the Emerald City in the middle of June.

What is responsible for the pervasive heat? A large area of high pressure in the west is leading to the formation of a heat dome near the coast of the Northwest.

Meanwhile, it is the humidity that is making it feel so miserable in the eastern two-thirds of the nation. Dew points hovering in the 60s and 70s are sending the real feel readings even higher. These feel-like temperatures could approach the century mark in the peak afternoon heating hours when combined with the humidity. Those with sensitivities to the heat will want to take the appropriate precautions.

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