WeatherWatcher: Heat wave coming this week

Fire on Lake Ballinger July 29, 2009
during all time record of 103.4°F.
Photo by Carl Dinse

We have a heat wave on the way this week, expected to peak on Thursday. The temperatures are going to be warm enough that the National Weather Service in Seattle has issued an Excessive Heat Watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon until Friday evening.

We are expecting the warmest daytime temperatures since July 29, 2009. Records in the area south of Seattle are expected to be broken; however we might be slightly cooler due to the influence of winds from the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Daytime temperatures are expected to ramp up into the low 80's through upper 80's into Wednesday.

Thursday we are likely to see a low to mid 90's high temperature for the hottest day. We could even get into the upper 90's.

The reason for the uncertainty for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park is due to the placement of this heatwave. The northern tip of this heatwave is expected to end around central Seattle but it could be slightly further north or south.

If you plan to travel south beyond Seattle or toward the east side of Lake Washington, you could see temperatures on Thursday into triple digits.

The good news is that nighttime temperatures are still expected to make it down to the low 60's. We will at least be able to cool down and sleep at night throughout the week.

Models show a cool down starting on Friday with the weekend returning back to seasonal temperatures.

www.shorelineweather.com