1st 100 degree day of the year comes early to Tri-Cities. Heat advisory in effect
The Tri-Cities had its first triple-digit temperature day of the year Monday.
The high for the day was 103, just 1 degree short of the record set in 1918, according to the National Weather Service.
The high for Tuesday was forecast at 100.
The Tri-Cities remained under a heat advisory until 9 p.m. Tuesday as the area sweltered under a high pressure system that has trapped the heat.
Normal highs for the second week of June in the Tri-Cities is 81. It was unusually early for such hot weather.
On average the first 100 degree or hotter day in the Tri-Cities is June 29, according to the weather service. The record for the earliest 100 degree day was in 1993 on May 13. The record for the latest day was in 1989 on Aug. 8.
The weather service had earlier forecast Sunday to be the first 100 degree day of the year, but the high fell a couple of degrees short at 97.
The current hot temperature could foreshadow the type of summer to come.
The Climate Prediction Center of the weather service puts the Tri-Cities just at the edge of the area of the West where there is a 50 to 60% chance that temperatures will be warmer than usual this summer.
Precipitation could be less than usual, although indications of that are less strong.
The Tri-Cities area also was under a red flag warning from Monday afternoon until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The heat, wind and low relative humidity increase the danger that any fire could spread quickly.
Relief from the heat
Temperatures will start to cool on Wednesday.
A high of 94 is forecast Wednesday, dropping into the 80s for the rest of the week through the coming Monday The coolest day is forecast to be Friday with a high of 84.
If you are looking for an indoor place to cool down this summer, Washington 211 lists the branches of the Mid-Columbia Libraries, Richland Public Library, Richland City Hall, Columbia Center Mall, the Richland Community Center and the Martin Luther King Center in Pasco. In Prosser, cooling centers in addition to the library include Becky’s Coffee Corner and Rez Farmers Insurance.
For more information, including hours they are open, dial 211 or go to wa211.org.
Splash pads are open at Tri-Cities parks, and Tri-Cities municipal swimming pools open June 14, following the end of the school year for most students.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 12:11 PM.