Hottest Week Of The Summer Approaches: Puget Sound Forecast

SEATTLE — The marine air that drifted in Friday morning will keep temperatures on the milder side through Saturday, before Puget Sound embarks on what forecasters expect to be the hottest week of the summer so far.

Early signs of an incoming heatwave have held up in the latest forecasts, and the National Weather Service said there's a good chance Seattle will see temperatures above 85 degrees every afternoon between Monday and Saturday. That would make for the longest such streak since July 2018.

While forecasters believe Puget Sound is less likely to see triple-digits, or highs rivaling the heat dome of last year, temperatures could hit at least the mid-90s more than once next week.

"Western Washington will experience an extended period of well- above normal temperatures
and dry conditions through the long term," NWS Seattle wrote Friday. "Monday could very well be the first potential 90 degree day for areas south of the Sound, while Wednesday and Thursday currently look to be the hottest days of the next week, with guidance hinting at temperatures reaching the low to mid 90s for areas Seattle southward."

Forecasters expect overnight lows will stay in the mid-60s Wednesday and Thursday, limiting relief from the heat, the risk of heat-related illnesses will be elevated, especially for people without access to adequate cooling and hydration. Conditions will run a few degrees hotter east of the Cascades, where NWS Spokane said temperatures could reach or surpass 100 degrees on four consecutive days.

Here are the temperature probabilities for Western Washington between Tuesday and Thursday:

The National Weather Service said temperatures will taper off a bit by next Friday, but will remain "very warm." Updated climate outlooks heavily favor hotter conditions persisting through at least the end of July. Seattle, so far, has logged six days with temperatures at or above 80 degrees in July and is poised to double that by next weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The average for the month is 9 days, and the all-time July record is 21 days, set in 1985.