Excessive Heat — Greater Portland Metro Area, Oregon

2021-06-26 to 2021-06-29 · Greater Portland Metro Area, Oregon

Event narrative

Record breaking temperatures for 3 days in a row. Portland International recorded high temperatures of 108, 112, and 116 F (breaking its previous all time record of 107), and low temperatures of 70, 73, and 75 F. The Oregon State Police and Oregon Medical Examiner reported 67 deaths in Multnomah County from the heat, but it is suspected this fatality count is closer to 71. There were also reports of roads buckling due to heat. Cooling shelters were opened and many businesses closed and events postponed.

Wider weather episode

A high pressure heat dome over the region led to stretch of extreme heat, shattering records from June 26 through June 29. All time max temperatures were broken by 8 to 10 degrees. Widespread fatalities occurred due to the heat (123 in total), as many were without air-conditioning, as well as an increase in the number of drownings. Widespread closures and postponements of businesses and events also occurred. Multnomah County had the largest number of fatalities in the state with 73 deaths directly related to the heat.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 961302. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.