Excessive Heat in Southwest Interior, Washington

Unusually hot weather affected the Southwest Interior of Western WA. A record high temperature of 97 degrees was set at the Olympia airport on the afternoon of July 26. This broke the previous record set in 1998 of 96 degrees.

A strong ridge of high pressure built across the Pacific Northwest at the end of July, making for well-above normal temperatures for most of Western Washington. Afternoon high temperatures in the interior lowlands soared into the 90s, with little relief during the overnight periods with lows in the 60s. This brought about a high probability of heat-related impacts to the area, especially those without an adequate means of cooling and/or hydration. Towards the beginning of August, the return to onshore flow from the Pacific brought about a relief from the heat.