Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Triple-digits predicted to hit Sunday
The high temperatures shown are for Eastern Washington, including the Tri-Cities.
COLFAX - A heatwave is predicted to hit triple-digits and could break the 2015 record of 105 degrees for Whitman County this weekend.
"We're looking for the initial temperature arriving around Saturday and lasting into next week," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Jennifer Simmons. "It will be about 20 degrees above the seasonal norms."
The normal high temperature for the last weekend in June is 73 degrees.
Monday was 12 degrees above normal at 85.
Saturday's high temperature is predicted to be 96 degrees and on Sunday it could be 100 degrees. The weather service predicts it could rival the record on Monday at 105 degrees.
"This is not a normal late June," said Simmons.
The actual town temperatures vary. For Whitman County, the National Weather Service uses data from the Pullman –Moscow Regional Airport.
Abnormal weather conditions are causing hotter than normal temperatures for Eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
"We are having a ridge (of high pressure) build over the Pacific Northwest," said Simmons. "It will keep dry warm air sitting over us. We don't know when it will end."
The National Weather Service updates its forecasts daily, reflecting changes in wind, humidity, precipitation, air pressure, and more. The Whitman County Gazette spoke to the National Weather Service on Tuesday.
Warnings are being issued for people to take precautions to avoid overheating. Air conditioning is the best, but several steps can be taken for people living in homes without it. Some tips include:
• Take a cold bath or shower
• Use cold wet rags on wrists and neck
• Use box fans
• Keep curtains and blinds closed
• Keep doors closed to rooms not being used
• Sleep in a basement
• Sleep in breathable linens
People having trouble keeping cool need to be aware of signs of heat exhaustion. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea, muscle cramps, feeling tired or weak, dizziness, and headaches.
A person suffering heat exhaustion should drink a lot of fluids and seek ways to get cool, according to the CDC. If they are vomiting or the symptoms last longer than an hour, they should receive medical attention.
When a person has similar symptoms and a body temperature of 103 degrees, confusion, and passes out, they may be suffering heatstroke. Emergency medical attention is needed immediately. Call 9-1-1, according to the CDC.
"June is extremely hot," said Simmons.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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