Current:Home > InvestHistoric heat wave in Pacific Northwest may have killed 3 this week -VitalEdge Finance Pro
Historic heat wave in Pacific Northwest may have killed 3 this week
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:50:41
Three people may have died in a record-shattering heat wave in the Pacific Northwest this week, officials said.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner in Portland, Oregon, said Thursday it's investigating the deaths of three people that may have been caused by extreme heat.
One was reported Monday in southeast Portland, according to a statement from the medical examiner. At Portland International Airport, the daily high temperature Monday of 108 degrees Fahrenheit broke the previous daily record of 102 degrees, the National Weather Service said.
The second death occurred Tuesday when the temperature hit about 102, officials said Wednesday. That death was reported by a Portland hospital. A third person who died was found Wednesday in northeast Portland when the temperature was also about 102, the medical examiner said. Further tests will determine if the deaths are officially related to the heat, officials said.
No information has been released about the identities of the people who died. Multnomah County recorded at least five heat-related deaths last year.
Daily high temperatures on Monday broke records with readings from 103 degrees to 110 in other Oregon cities, including Eugene, Salem, Troutdale and Hillsboro, and in Vancouver, Washington, according to the weather agency.
On Wednesday, daily high records were broken again in the same cities with temperatures from 102 to 105 degrees.
This week marked the first time in 130 years of recorded weather that Seattle had three days in a row with lows of 67 degrees or warmer, according to the National Weather Service office there.
In July, the continental United States set a record for overnight warmth, providing little relief from daytime heat for people, animals, plants and the electric grid, meteorologists said.
Scientists have long warned that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and certain agricultural practices, will lead to more and prolonged bouts of extreme weather, including hotter temperatures.
Cooler air did move in on Thursday, and the cooling trend is expected to continue Friday, the weather service said:
Temperatures were running in the upper 80s to low 90s as of 5 PM Thursday in most spots away from the coast - about a 10 to 15 degree drop from the same time yesterday. Expect the cooling trend to continue into Friday with forecast highs in the low 80s. #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/nAOZ0wxIML
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) August 18, 2023
However, there's concern about the possible quick spread of wildfires because of dry conditions and winds caused by the cold front, Joe Smillie, Washington state Department of Natural Resources spokesperson, told The Seattle Times on Thursday.
Red flag warnings - meaning critical fire weather conditions are happening or are about to happen - have been issued by the National Weather Service for all of Eastern Washington, Central Washington and Northern Idaho through Friday. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, according to the weather service.
In addition, unhealthy air from wildfires was affecting areas of Oregon and more than half of Washington on Thursday, according to state officials.
- In:
- heat
- Heat Waves
- Heat Wave
veryGood! (2)
Related
- The seven biggest college football quarterback competitions include Michigan, Ohio State
- Supervisors vote to allow solar panel farm in central Mississippi over residents’ objections
- On Father's Day, I realize my son helps me ask for the thing I need: A step to healing
- More companies want you to keep your 401(k) with them after you retire. Should you?
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Jetliner diverts, lands in New Zealand after fire shuts down engine
- Get free iced coffee from Whataburger in honor of the summer solstice: Here's what to know
- Zac Efron Admits His Younger Siblings Are Getting Him Ready for Fatherhood
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Catastrophic Titan sub disaster: A year later the search for answers continues.
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Jaylen Brown wins NBA Finals MVP after leading Celtics over Mavericks
- Quavo hosts summit against gun violence featuring VP Kamala Harris on late rapper Takeoff’s birthday
- This Shampoo & Conditioner Made My Postpartum Hair Feel Thicker Than Ever
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- No survivors as twin-engine Cessna crashes in Colorado mobile home park
- Kevin Costner teases Whoopi Goldberg about commercial break during 'The View' interview
- Shortage of public defenders in Maine allowed release of man who caused fiery standoff
Recommendation
Small twin
Team USA's Uniforms for the 2024 Olympics Deserve a Gold Medal
Israeli leader dissolves war cabinet after political rival walks out, citing lack of plan for Gaza's future
Colorado Supreme Court to hear arguments in transgender cake case
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
In a first, one company is making three-point seatbelts standard on all school buses
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, I Won't Stand For It!
RHOBH's PK Kemsley Shares Sobriety Journey Milestone Amid Dorit Kemsley Breakup