Excessive Heat — Central Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

2021-06-26 to 2021-06-29 · Central Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Event narrative

Temperatures across the area reached into the 100s and lower 110s over a three day period. This lead to many people seeking locations to cool off. A young girl drowned in the Hood River on Wednesday, June 30.

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 965929. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.