In case you were wondering–and since reporting may not have made explicit the seemingly obvious connection–Yes, this is an effect of climate change caused by releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through human actions like the burning of fossil fuels. AccuWeather Alerts ™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.The heat dome occurs because temperatures in the western Pacific Ocean have risen more in recent decades than in the eastern Pacific, creating pressure differences that cause more warm air to rise over the western Pacific, where the jet stream traps it under a high-pressure dome. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. In addition to the heat perhaps not being quite as intense, forecasters say that the risk for dry thunderstorms will be lower across the region. "The heat will likely rebuild by the middle of next week, although it does not appear quite as warm compared to this week's event," said Thornton. Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+Īfter a short break from the heat along the coast on Friday and over the weekend, a resurgence is expected next week. "This next dose of heat, especially where spotty storms brew, is likely to bring another boost in the number of fires." "During and soon after the last major heat wave to hit the region in late July, wildfires which were scarce in the region much of the spring and early summer, then surged," Sosnowski said. The highest risk for these storms will be over inland locations. Thunderstorms with lightning and little to no rain could start new fires and any gusty winds near the storms could quickly spread the flames. "A ripple in the jet stream may pivot through part of the Northwest later this week, and could produce spotty dry thunderstorms," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. Lightning from the thunderstorms will elevate the fire risk across the parched landscape. In addition to the heat, spotty thunderstorms could pop up over part of the region through Friday, especially over the mountains. Other highs in the region Wednesday included 99 F in Medford, Oregon, as well as hitting the 100 F mark in Spokane, Washington. The city has reached the 90-degree mark 20 times this year, five above the annual average and four behind 2021's total. The record for the most 100-degree days in a year in Portland stands at five, which was reached in 1941, 19. Thursday will also come close to the century mark in Portland, potentially adding to this year's tally. So far this season, residents of Portland, Oregon, have experienced four days at or above 100 degrees, with Wednesday nearly becoming the fifth after a high of 98 F. The mercury could climb a few ticks higher on Thursday.įarther south, the heat will be more intense. The heat began to expand on Wednesday with temperatures reaching about 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in Seattle, with a high of 90 F. Temperatures have been trending upward across the Pacific Northwest since this past weekend, and AccuWeather meteorologists say that Mother Nature will turn the thermostat up higher for the remainder of the week.
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