Extreme heat crushing Tri-Cities weather records. Hot temperature warning extended
The scorching heat in the Tri-Cities set a new record by a single degree Thursday, and Friday’s record is expected to be crushed.
For the second time this week the National Weather Service has extended the excessive heat warning for the Tri-Cities and almost all of Eastern Washington.
It now is set to expire after seven days on Sunday night.
But the stretch of triple-digit temperature days could be longer, reaching nine days in a row.
The hot streak started Sunday, July 24, when the temperature reached 100 in the Tri-Cities and might continue through Monday, July 25.
Thursday was the first day of the heat wave to set a daily hot weather record for the Tri-Cities. The temperature reached 110, beating the record of 109 set in 1934.
The Friday record also looks ready to fall. The hottest July 29 on record before this year was a temperature of 107 recorded in 2014.
Temperatures of 110 to 112 degrees were forecast for Friday through Sunday, with temperatures cooling to 99 to 102 on Monday.
Overnight lows will be in the 70s through Monday night. The temperature is predicted to be no cooler than 75 on Saturday night and 77 on Sunday night, according to the weather service.
Normal average highs for July in the Tri-Cities, usually the hottest month of the year, are about 96 and normal lows are about 60.
Weather dangerously hot
Four people have died in recent days in Oregon due to the heat, including one person in Umatilla. The other deaths were in the Portland area.
The Benton and Franklin county coroners have reported no heat-related deaths this year, but the hottest weather of the heat wave is still to come.
Warm nights for people without adequate air conditioning can be dangerous, particularly for the elderly.
If their body does not have a chance to cool down at night, the heart increases circulation to try to regulate body temperature, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The strain on the body is worse without adequate hydration.
Outdoor workers also need to use caution.
On Thursday, two firefighters responding to a 115-acre brush fire south of Kennewick and west of Interstate 82 needed to be treated for heat exhaustion.
Under new Washington state regulations employers must provide at least a quart of cool water every hour to workers in 89-degree or hotter temperatures.
Enough shade must be available to fully cover workers during a break, or an air-conditioned space must be available. Workers are allowed to take breaks if they start to feel overheated and 10 minute breaks every two hours are mandatory.
Levels of ozone, which can cause air quality issues, are forecast to continue to be “moderate,” one step worse than “good” in the Tri-Cities through Sunday.
Relief from the heat
Tri-Cities residents needing to cool off in an air-conditioned space are urged to head to libraries, at least through Saturday.
Fewer libraries are open on Sundays, but these libraries are open noon to 5 p.m.: the Pasco library branches at 7252 Wrigley Drive and at 1320 W. Hopkins St.; the West Richland library at 3803 W. Van Giesen St.; and the Richland Public Library at 955 Northgate Drive.
The Kennewick library at 1620 s. Union St. will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but may not be as cool because of air conditioning problems.
The Richland Community Center at 500 Amon Park Drive will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
West Richland and the Richland School District have opened cooling stations at Tapteal Elementary and Enterprise Middle School from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday July 29.
The Union Gospel Mission in Pasco has opened its men’s shelter at 221 S. 4th Ave., and its women and children’s shelter at 110 N. 2nd Ave. until at least 9 p.m. for those seeking relief from the heat.
It also is handing out bottled water to those without homes. Donations of bottled water can be dropped off at either shelter.
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 12:16 PM.