Excessive Heat in Yakima Valley, Washington

Calculated heat risk values at the KYKM ASOS recorded consecutive days between June 26th through July 1st of temperatures that met or exceeded excessive heat warning criteria. Calculated heat risk values at the GHCN station at Selah 2 NE recorded consecutive days between June 26th through June 30th of temperatures that met or exceeded excessive heat warning criteria. The Yakima county Coroner' Office reported 4 fatalities that heat was a contributing factor to during the heat wave, however, no additional details were provided regarding age, sex, actual date, or location.

A strong upper level ridge of high pressure and a surface thermal trough brought several days of record high temperatures across the PacNW, with many locations in the lower and higher elevations experiencing extreme heat risk during this event. The multiple days of extreme heat risk has been attributed to several fatalities across the region.