EVERETT — The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory Friday for “mid-summer” temperatures that could top 90 degrees this weekend in Snohomish County.
The advisory is expected to last from 2 p.m. on Saturday to 8 p.m. Monday. The heat risk has increased since their forecast earlier in the week, with portions of Western Washington now at a red-level risk for Monday. That’s the second-highest warning the weather service can assign. That level of heat “affects anyone without effective cooling or adequate hydration,” according to meteorologists.
And it poses “a moderate, to localized major, risk of heat-related illness.”
In Everett, the hottest day is expected to be Monday, meteorologists said. The forecasted high for the city has increased to a range of 81 to 89 degrees on Monday. Arlington’s range is from 84 to 90 degrees. Monroe’s high could be 93 degrees.
This would be, by far, the hottest day of the year so far in Snohomish County. Outside of this heat wave, records show the previous high at Paine Field was 77 degrees on April 29.
The earliest recorded 90-degree day in Seattle was May 17, 2008, according to the National Weather Service.
There is also potential for “heat thunderstorms” in the area from Monday through Wednesday next week, meteorologists said. While the thunder is uncertain, storms can bring lightning and wind gusts, which present fire danger because of the dry conditions, according to the weather service.
Cooling centers across Snohomish County will be open to the public. The county has listed 19 available cooling centers at libraries, senior centers and other air-conditioned buildings.
Warm air can create a false sense of security for those swimming in water, but the water at this time of year is deceptively cold. Cold water drains body heat four times faster than cold air, meteorologists said.
When your body hits cold water, “cold shock” can cause dramatic changes to your breathing. Sudden gasps and rapid breathing create a risk of drowning even for the most confident swimmers.
Other hot weather warnings from the weather service:
• Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.
• Always dress for water temperature, not the air.
• Keep a close eye on children around water.
• Know the signs of hypothermia: shivering, sluggishness, numbness, cold feet and hands.
People should also hydrate as needed and be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke: confusion, slurred speech, a loss of consciousness, profuse sweating, seizures and a very high body temperature.
Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @EDHJonTall.
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