EVERETT — Snohomish County might finally get some T-shirt weather.
The region is likely to see temperatures in the 80s for the first time this year.
Amid a week of sunshine starting Wednesday, the high on Thursday is expected to reach into the 70s. Friday and Saturday are expected to surpass 80 degrees inland.
The county likely will not break temperature records, National Weather Service meteorologist Kirby Cook said. But Darrington’s high on Friday could be an eye-popping 86 degrees. Monroe could get up to 82 degrees and Edmonds could see highs in the 70s. Everett could hit 79 degrees on Saturday.
The temperatures are fairly normal for this time of the year, Cook said. Snohomish County also had a heat wave last May.
“It’s primarily high pressure building,” Cook said. “And that’s going to keep us dry and give us more sunshine. We will have a lot of clouds, especially in the morning. And boost temperatures up gradually.”
Despite the warm temperatures, Snohomish County’s waters remain cold. People choosing to spend the warm weather in the water should wear a life jacket, Cook said, and also be aware of the danger from fast-flowing mountain runoff water.
When high temperatures broke records in late March, two people drowned at Eagle Falls near Index — the picturesque scene of several other recent drownings.
“It’s going to be warm out there and people are going to be tempted to go out and jump in the water and they need to realize that even though it is warmer, water temperatures are quite cold,” Cook said.
Expect clouds, and slightly cooler temperatures, to move in by Monday.
Washington State Parks’ lifejacket loaner program begins May 24, South County Fire spokesperson Christie Veley wrote in an email. Make sure lifejackets fit properly at all times, she said.
Children should be supervised while in the water.
“We want people to remember that life jackets are a tool that could save your life, but they do not replace the need for adult supervision of kids on the water,” Veley said.
Another major concern for local fire agencies is children falling out of windows. Over 140 children have fallen out of windows in Snohomish County since 2017, Everett Fire Department spokesperson Rachael Doniger said in an email. Most were preventable.
Adults can reduce the danger for children by moving climbable furniture away from windows, Doniger said.
“Install child safety devices — window stops or window guards — on windows 6 feet or more from the ground outside,” Doniger wrote. “People can buy window safety devices at hardware stores and online. Be sure to buy devices that an adult can release in case of emergency.”
The Everett Fire Department offers free window stops to families at no cost. To find out more, email rdoniger@everettwa.gov.
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.
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