If it seems hotter out this morning than at the same time Thursday, you’re not imagining things: It’s true.
By 11:05 a.m. the National Weather Service was reporting 91 degrees in Vancouver compared with 77 on Thursday.
At 9:20 a.m. the thermometer at Pearson Field in Vancouver read 79 degrees. At the same time on Thursday, it was a relatively cool 70.
Of course the most is yet to come. Today’s forecast high is 102 degrees, compared with 99 recorded Thursday. If so this will be the hottest day of 2016 so far for Clark County.
This time of year the peak heat comes between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunset today is at 8:11 p.m., but once again it will stay unusually warm overnight. Saturday’s high is forecast at 99 degrees. The National Weather Service has placed the area under an excessive heat warning.
Virtually all local jurisdictions have banned burning, not that a fire seems like a good idea.
Public places to beat the heat in Vancouver include:
- Marshall/Luepke Community Center, 1009 McLoughlin Blvd. Open 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
- Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave. Open 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
- CRESA also encouraged people to check out Vancouver Public Works’ Water Resources Education Center, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The City of Vancouver keeps an online interactive map (at www.cityofvancouver.us/parksites) that lists sites with potable water.
Firstenburg Tower at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center will open to the those seeking relief from the heat from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Thursday through Saturday.
In Washougal, people can cool off at:
- City Hall, 1701 C St. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday.
- The Washougal Community Center, at 1681 C St., may open on Sunday, with hours to be determined by senior association volunteers.
