Excessive Heat — Western Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

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

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures. There were three days with maximum temperatures greater than 100 degrees measured at several stations. The hottest day was on June 28 where temperatures peaked around 112 degrees. The minimum temperatures were warm as well with nighttime temperatures in the 70s on June 27 and June 28.

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 965966. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.