Excessive Heat — Greater Portland Metro Area, Oregon

2022-07-25 to 2022-07-30 · Greater Portland Metro Area, Oregon

Event narrative

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner reported suspected deaths associated with the heat wave. One each on July 25th, 26th, 27th; two each on the 28th and 30th, all in Portland. A man drowned on the Sandy River on the 27th while paddle boarding. During the heatwave there were elevated numbers of heat related illnesses. For example on the 30th, Multnomah County reported 10 requests for Emergency/Urgent care. A typical summer day is zero to one. There was a cumulative of 63 heat illness, more than half of a typical summer. In another incident on July 25th, a man drowned while swimming at Henry Hagg Lake in Washington County. Also in Washington County, a dog died from the heat when left in a car. Other suspected heat related deaths occurred July 28th and 29th in Clackamas County.

Wider weather episode

A prolonged heatwave developed as strong high pressure formed over the Pacific Northwest. This event was most notable by it's duration. High temperatures around 100 degrees persisted for a week for much of the northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, except the coast. Heat indicies ranged from 95 to 105 degrees during the afternoons. This resulted in several suspected deaths related to the heat. The heatwave lasted through the end of the month.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1046799. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.