This week’s weather forecast brings to mind a nihilist’s favorite Cards Against Humanity white card: “The inevitable heat death of the universe.”
The National Weather Service is forecasting a major heat wave Tuesday through Thursday. Laural McCoy, a forecaster at the Portland National Weather Service office, said temperatures will “flirt with” 100 degrees on Tuesday, climb to 105 degrees, then reach 106 degrees Thursday.
Temperatures will begin to cool off this weekend, she said, though still with temperatures in the 90s — just in time for opening weekend of the Clark County Fair.
A high pressure system is to blame for the week’s high temperatures, McCoy said. The system will pull warm temperatures from California and Nevada to hover over the Portland-metro area.
“It’s going to bake,” McCoy said.
The elderly and sick people should stay out of the heat — or if you have neighbors who fit those categories, check on them to make sure they’re OK — and try to find someplace with air conditioning to visit if you don’t have it at home, McCoy said.
CRESA suggests malls, libraries, restaurants, theaters, shops and community recreation centers.
“Think about places you might be able to spend an afternoon or two, like going to a library or the movies or something like that,” McCoy said.
Children and pets should not be left in cars, she added. She also advised staying away from alcohol and caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
Temperatures last reached this level in 2009, when on July 28 and 29 the Portland-metro area reached 106 degrees. The record high in Vancouver, set in 2009, is 108 degrees.
