The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a heat advisory for a large swath of Southwest Washington, including Clark County, and Oregon.
The advisory goes into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and should remain in place until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
High temperatures could reach 99 degrees, the hottest of the year, according to the forecast. And it will be uncomfortably warm at night, too.
“Temperatures will be very slow to cool, with overnight low temperatures only reaching the lower 60s for a few hours very early Wednesday morning,” the advisory says.
The limited overnight relief increases the chance of heat-related illnesses, especially for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, people without air conditioning, young children and the elderly. Everyone should stay hydrated and wear light, loose-fitting clothing when possible.
“Drink plenty of water, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sunshine, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the advisory says.
Of course, never leave children or pets in a hot car.
The heat will be accompanied by wind and low relative humidity, so the weather service has also issued a fire weather watch. Outdoor burning is not recommended while the watch is in effect.
The city of Vancouver says the Firstenburg Community Center is closed all this week for maintenance, but suggests some other options where people can keep cool:
• Visit the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., to cool off, meet friends or take part in programs to play, swim or get fit. The center is fully air conditioned, except for the gymnasium, and its Wi-Fi-enabled lobby is open to the public, free of charge. The fitness center and swimming pool are available to members or by paying a drop-in fee during operating hours. Marshall Center hours are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/MCC.
• Youth ages 11-18 also have free access to The SPOT and the gymnasium at the Marshall Center from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SPOT is a supervised game room and hangout lounge in the lower lobby of the center. Teens just need to have their Marshall Center pass or a valid school ID.
• Vancouver Public Works’ Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, is a free, air-conditioned oasis for exploring our natural resources, from salmon to toads, and enjoying hands-on exhibits. Currently, visitors can also view the winning entries from the 2019 Washington Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition. Water Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed on Sundays. For Water Center information, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library branches are another option for people to stay cool; for a list of branches and hours visit www.fvrl.org/hours-locations.
Service animals are welcome in public facilities, but pets are not allowed.
