Temperatures in Western Oregon are expected to reach the triple digits this weekend, and stay warm into next week, with highs in the upper 80s and 90s.
Treena Jensen, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Portland, said the heat is not out of the ordinary for June.
“You know, it’s not that unusual for us to get heat waves in June,” Jensen said. “June, July and August we usually get a few days where it’s really hot, but this does seem a bit hotter than what we normally get in June.”
Portland is expected to reach a high of 107 degrees on Sunday, Jensen said, and staying cool and hydrated is very important.
“Try to not do anything active in the heat of the day,” Jensen said. “If you have work to do, do it early in the morning or late in the evening.”
High temperatures pose high risks of heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke and heat exhaustion, usually characterized by headaches, dizziness, nausea or a fast pulse.
Overnight temperatures will also be unusually high, with lows in the low 60s. It might take a while for the air to cool off, with temperatures staying in the 70s until 1a.m.
The coast will be cooler this weekend, with highs in the mid 70s and 80s, especially around Newport.
“That would be a good place to go to cool off,” Jensen said, “but we just want to remind people of water safety. If they do decide to go cool off, whether it’s in the rivers, or in the ocean--especially the ocean--to be mindful of the current. And then...to wear a life preserver and just to be extra careful.”
Next week might be a little cooler, with Monday and Tuesday projected to hit highs in the low to mid 90s, but caution should still be practiced.
