Clark County’s extended heat wave has moved into record-setting territory.
Monday marked the eighth consecutive day with temperatures of at least 90 degrees in Vancouver. That matches the record set in late July and early August of 2009, according to the National Weather Service — a stretch that also included the city’s all-time high of 108 degrees on July 29, 2009.
This year’s hot streak isn’t over yet. Forecasters expect another two, possibly three days of 90-plus temperatures before relief finally arrives at the end of the week. By the time things cool down, Vancouver could wind up with 11 days in a row above 90.
“It’s a historic event, and the fact that it’s happening so early is especially remarkable,” said Jeremiah Pyle, a meteorologist with the weather service in Portland.
Temperatures should cool down to the low 80s by this weekend, which is near normal for this time of year, Pyle said.
Despite the prolonged heat, and the hottest June on record for many places, temperatures still haven’t cracked the 100-degree barrier this year. Vancouver’s hottest temperature so far in 2015 is 97 degrees. The city hasn’t seen a triple-digit day since 2012. It doesn’t appear likely to happen this week, either.
A heat advisory remains in effect for much of Southwest Washington and Oregon’s Willamette Valley through Wednesday night. The weather service urged people to take extra precautions if they plan to work or spend time outside.
As of Monday, Vancouver had racked up 13 days of 90-degree temperatures already in 2015. The normal for an entire year is 11 days, according to the weather service.
Vancouver will have to notch another two weeks’ worth of 90-degree days this summer to match the single-year record of 27, set in 1906, according to the weather service.
The recent heat wave has coincided with a growing dry spell. Vancouver hasn’t seen any measurable rainfall since June 3, according to the weather service. Long-range forecasts continue to call for warmer, drier-than-usual conditions in the Northwest through the summer.
