EVERETT — Snohomish County could see temperatures in the high 80s by the weekend — and along with the wave of sunshine comes the risk of brush fires, heat stroke and drowning in deceptively cold water.
Starting Wednesday, most of the county can expect temperatures in the 70s, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. Those temperatures will rise to the high 70s by Friday, with Everett expecting a high of 76 degrees.
The real heat is expected over the weekend, meteorologist Kayla Mazurkiewicz said. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to upper 80s, Mazurkiewicz said. On Monday, it could reach 90 degrees in more inland cities like Monroe and Arlington — while Everett’s high is expected to fall somewhere in the wide range of 69 to 89 degrees.
It is unusual for Western Washington to get this hot in May, according to the weather service. The earliest recorded 90-degree day in Seattle, for example, was May 17, 2008, the weather service said. In 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced a harsh heat wave, a factor in the deaths of at least 12 people in Snohomish County, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mazurkiewicz said because the weather has been somewhat cool and wet for the past couple of weeks, an “upper level ridge” moving into the West Coast like this amplifies the heat: Warmer air sinks to the surface due to high levels of pressure in the atmosphere.
People may be itching to get in the water with the year’s first summery temperatures. But it brings a danger of drowning at this time of the year — or any time of year — as bodies of water are still cold, with many maintaining a level around 40 degrees, Mazurkiewicz said.
“Just because the air is warm, that doesn’t mean the water is,” she said.
The Skykomish River runs through Index, Gold Bar and Sultan, and it’s an especially popular area for people looking to jump in and swim. Eagle Falls, in particular, attracts a lot of people, but it’s a dangerous area, Sky Valley Fire Chief Eric Andrews said.
“The river is still very cold, even though it’s warm outside, you jump in the river and it’s still 35 or 40 degrees, it takes your breath away,” Andrews said.
Sky Valley Fire is preparing to deal with brush fires, as the trees are still too wet to be at risk of a forest fire. But for the most part, crews are focused on water rescue preparation.
Andrews said the slow-moving parts of the river are easier to swim in, but every year hundreds of people swim in the more dangerous currents with strong undertows.
“We don’t recommend you swim there at all,” Andrews said. “Something always ends up happening.”
The Sky Valley Fire District completes around 10 to 12 fire rescues at Eagle Falls every year, Andrews said. While there were no deaths last year, others have died at Eagle Falls. In 2020, a TikTok craze sent many people to the area, resulting in the deaths of at least two people.
In 2023, there’s already been a rescue operation at the falls. Fire officials recommend people at least bring lifejackets if they are going in or near the river.
“It takes less than a minute to drown,” said Shawneri Guzman, community outreach manager for South County Fire. “There is no splashing. You just sink, even if you’re an experienced swimmer.”
South County Fire is also gearing up for cold water rescues.
While lakes and rivers seem fun to dive in, many were icy recently, Guzman said. The surface of the water is warm, but below is cold enough to put a swimmer in shock.
Guzman cautioned those that are going swimming to always bring a swimming buddy. But if someone is in distress, try to throw them a flotation device instead of diving in to help, Guzman said. And call 911.
In Lake Stevens last year, two children died when one started drowning and the other tried to save him, Guzman said. A third child trying to help was also hospitalized.
In addition to cold water risks, warmer temperatures also bring the danger of children falling out of windows.
With relatively few homes having air conditioning in the Pacific Northwest, families open their windows when the weather gets warmer. But it only takes 5 pounds of pressure to break through a screen, Guzman said.
Since 2017, there have been 127 window falls in Snohomish County, according to South County Fire. The district offers free window locks to those who complete a request form.
Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @EDHJonTall.
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