PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — It was a record setting weekend as daily highs topped previous marks, some set in the late 1800s. The longest heat wave of the year finally began to relax its grip on the region on Sunday.
“Overnight lows will hold in the upper 60s, leaving little chance for the metro to cool down after sunset,” Storm Tracker 2 Meteorologist Rhonda Shelby said. “In fact, in some places around the metro, temperatures may stay stuck above 65 degrees for the next few nights.”
WEATHER | Latest Storm Tracker 2 Forecast
At Portland International Airport, the high temperature was 95 degrees, coming in five degrees cooler than Saturday’s high temperature.
An ‘Extreme Heat Warning’ remains in effect until Tuesday night at 11 p.m. The National Weather Service in Portland extended the warning over the weekend to include Tuesday.
“Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening,” NWS Portland said in their warning message. “Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
RECORDS SET SATURDAY:
- Vancouver, Washington: 95 in 2000 & 1891: New Record 100
- Hillsboro, Oregon: 97 in 1996: New Record 101
- Eugene, Oregon: 98 in 1911: New Record 99
RECORDS SET SUNDAY:
- Eugene, Oregon: 96 – Ties record set high set in 1958, 1982, and 2010.
On Sunday, Multnomah County said they were investigating a possible heat related death.
While daytime highs will not be approaching triple digits, the overnight lows will not be cooling off quickly. “Today’s high temperatures may be held down by excess wildfire smoke haze and clouds moving in off dissipating thunderstorms,” said Shelby.
Thunderstorms formed in southern Oregon Sunday afternoon and evening as hundreds of lightning strikes were observed. The Emigrant Fire started in the Willamette National Forest near Diamond Peak. Officials said Sunday afternoon that the fire was an estimated 300 acres.
Red Flag Warnings are posted for portions of southern and central Oregon, including where the Flat Fire is burning northeast of Sisters. The fire has grown to almost 22,000 acres with winds pushing the fire to the south and southwest.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed the Conflagration Act allowing additional resources to be called into service.
Make sure to download the KATU Weather App and always stay on top of the weather.