California, Pacific Northwest heat wave threatens record highs into weekend

Numerous heat alerts are in place as temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s to lower 100s on Friday for portions of the interior Pacific Northwest and northern Great Basin.

More heat is expected across interior California and northward into the Pacific Northwest through the weekend.

Temperatures will continue to be well above average for the West Coast as a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure stays locked in across the region.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV

Here's a look at the record-high temperatures set on Thursday in the Northwest.
(FOX Weather)


 

Numerous Heat Advisories are in place as temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s to lower 100s on Friday for portions of the interior Pacific Northwest and northern Great Basin.

An Excessive Heat Warning is also in effect for parts of central Washington.

STOP THE WASTE AND SAVE YOUR WALLET: BUDGET-FRIENDLY WAYS TO KEEP COOL DURING HEAT WAVES

Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect across the West.
(FOX Weather)


 

"It's been a long stretch of hot weather," FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "We do have Excessive Heat Warnings out for the higher elevations of Washington. So please, in those locations, make sure that you're staying away from the heat in the afternoon. You can easily get heatstroke or heat exhaustion very quickly. The key is to hydrate and start the hydration early."

WHAT IS THE HEAT INDEX AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOUR HEALTH?

If you want to beat the heat in California, just get out to the coast, where it will be a lot more comfortable.

Here's a look at the high temperatures in California on Friday, Aug. 19.
(FOX Weather)


 

"The valley floor is going to be on fire. I mean, 106 degrees in Indio (California), but in Los Angeles, we have temperatures in the low 80s. That nice cool Pacific really helps out," Merwin said.

As an upper-level trough of low pressure approaches from the west, temperatures will cool a bit in the Northwest on Saturday, with highs dropping back into the lower to mid-90s. But farther south in the central valleys of California, the heat is forecast to peak on Saturday when afternoon temperatures are expected to reach into the lower to mid-100s.

Loading...