PORT ANGELES — Western Washington will experience a heat event throughout this week, with the warmest temperatures occurring today, according to a briefing released by the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Risk levels for the Pacific coast, including Forks, are minor through Thursday.
Risk levels for northern Salish Sea and strait, including Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend, are moderate today and Tuesday and minor Wednesday and Thursday.
Temperatures in Port Angeles are forecast to be in the upper 80s and low 90s.
The National Weather Service’s briefing said that hot conditions, low relative humidity and unstable conditions will lead to elevated to critical fire weather concerns.
The high temperatures are likely to affect individuals who are sensitive to heat, especially those who are not adequately hydrated or those without effective cooling.
Meteorologist Kayla Mazurkiewicz of the National Weather Service in Seattle said for any heat advisory, especially a long duration heat event like this one, people must remember to drink enough water and take breaks if they’re outside for long periods.
This heat advisory could result in impacts to health systems and in heat-sensitive industries.
Marzurkiewicz said overnight temperatures will be in the mid 60s and are not likely to provide much cooling relief.
She recommended people find effective ways to cool down, especially if they do not have cooling units in their residences.
The Port Angeles Senior Center, which is usually open as a cooling center during heat advisories, will not be offering its services this week.
Carmen Geyer, manager at the senior center, said the center’s HVAC system is going down on Monday so they can update it and provide better cooling in the future.
“The timing is really horrible,” Geyer said.
Geyer said once the senior center gets its new system up and running, they will “absolutely be a cooling center.”
“We just gotta get there first,” Geyer said.
As of Friday afternoon, the North Olympic Library System had not been green lighted to open for additional hours as a cooling center. If the heat gets to the magenta, or extreme, category, they said they plan to have extended hours.
Mazurkiewicz said the temperatures in the coastal areas of the Peninsula will likely peak on Monday.
Beginning Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday, Mazurkiewicz expects onshore winds to cool down those areas.
“Wednesday you’re going to really feel it,” Mazurkiewicz said.
________
Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
