Topline
Portland reached scorching, unprecedented levels of heat Sunday as the Pacific Northwest, known for its moderate and rainy climate, is facing a record-breaking heatwave that officials warn is “historic and dangerous.”
Key Facts
Parts of Portland, Oregon, reached 110 degrees on Sunday, the National Weather Service reported, breaking the previous record, 108 degrees, set just the previous day.
While Seattle, Washington, fell just two degrees short of breaking the city’s 103 degree record on Sunday, it marked the second day in a row Seattle temperatures rose above 100 degrees for the first time in recorded history, the NWS said.
Officials have warned that the temperatures in the Northwest, between 20 and 30 degrees higher than average, pose a danger to people who are unequipped to deal with the unusual heat.
Both Washington and Oregon have eased coronavirus capacity restrictions on cooling centers to allow people to take respite from the heat, while officials are encouraging anyone with air conditioning to invite others over to help them cool off.
Big Number
20 million. That’s how many people are under heat warnings or advisories along the West Coast, according to CNN.
What To Watch For
More heat waves as climate change continues to have a profound impact on weather patterns. “We know from evidence around the world that climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves. We’re going to have to get used to this going forward,” Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who studies global warming and public health, told the Associated Press.
Key Background
The region’s unprecedented heat wave is because of what meteorologists call a heat dome, when high-pressure circulation traps hot air to a particular area, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Experts are concerned the heat, paired with an existing drought, could increase the likelihood of wildfires, while others say increased air conditioning could create a power demand that could strain state power grids.
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June 28, 2021 at 05:10AM
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Portland And Seattle Break Records For Hottest Days Ever As Heatwave Scorches The Northwest - Forbes
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