Could Scorching Tri-Cities Temperatures Set Another Washington Record?

Northwest Weather Service Says Excessive Heat Warning In Effect

Welcome to a Tri-Cities summer. This week is going to be a scorcher and like last year, Tri-Cities might have a chance to break the hottest temperatures on record again this year.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning through the weekend of July 31st, 2022 and we might be seeing some record-setting temps over the week.

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Here's what the NWS reports say:

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS
MORNING TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures around 105
  to 115 expected.

* WHERE...In Washington, Eastern Columbia River Gorge of
  Washington, Kittitas Valley, Yakima Valley and Lower Columbia
  Basin of Washington. In Oregon, Eastern Columbia River Gorge
  of Oregon and Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon.

* WHEN...From 11 AM Today to 11 PM PDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the
  potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those
  working or participating in outdoor activities.

Hanford Once Posted A 120 Degree Daily Record

The temperatures will be excessive and you'll want to take precautions to stay safe.

NWS has provided some guidelines to deal with the sweltering heat:

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

According to the Northwest Weather Service, we could see a high on some days of 115 degrees.

The question is will that 115 be a record for the Columbia Basin?

NWS keeps track of the records and right now 117 degrees is the record set last year on 6/29/2021.

It looks like we'll need a few extra degrees to hit the record highs set in previous years.

The all-time high set at Hanford was 120, 118 in Richland, and 115 at the Tri-Cities airport.

We talked to our weather expert Mark Ingalls who said that we won't hit the record highs but we could possibly top the daily temperature records.

You can check out more on the highs and lows of the weather on Mark's deep dive here.

As Mark says, hot is hot so please stay inside if you don't have to go out and stay hydrated with lots of water.