Northwest Sizzles with High Summer Temps

RED FLAG WARNING is in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday to late Friday night

High temps will likely break 100 degrees, so be prepared!

(SALEM, Ore.) - Extremely hot temperatures are coming to Oregon Thursday through Saturday with highs in the 80s along the Coast and near (or above) 100 inland.

Critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop Thursday and continue through at least Friday night. Dry northerly low-level flow Thursday afternoon will lead to potentially critical fire weather conditions for the Willamette Valley, especially the central and south portions.

A broader offshore wind pattern then begins to set up Thursday night. Initially, the east wind will impact the south Washington and north Oregon Cascades and foothills, the north Oregon coast range and the Willapa Hills of southwest Washington.

The offshore wind pattern is forecast to strengthen late Thursday night through Friday morning, likely affecting much of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. The wind will start to diminish Friday evening, but Saturday will remain hot, dry, and unstable as a thermal trough of low pressure lingers nearby.

A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect from 1 p.m. to late Friday night for wind and low relative humidity for Oregon fire weather zone 604 (Tualatin & Willamette Valleys). A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a RED FLAG WARNING in effect from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, then a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect through late Friday night, which means that critical fire weather conditions are "forecast to occur".

• AFFECTED AREA: Oregon Fire Weather Zone 604 (INCLUDES THE WILLAMETTE AND TUALATIN VALLEYS).
• WIND THURSDAY: North to Northeast 10 - 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday afternoon through the evening. Most susceptible areas will be the central and south Willamette Valley.
• WIND FRIDAY: Northeast 10 -15 mph with gusts to 25 mph, and East 15 - 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph across Eastern parts of the Portland metro area and near the Columbia Gorge.
• RELATIVE HUMIDITY: As low as 15%
• IMPACTS: Due to dry fuel conditions, any fire start has the potential for rapid spread.
• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible; drink plenty of water; reschedule any outdoor activities to early morning or evening hours; anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded area.

For updated weather reports, see: Salem-News WEATHER

Heat stroke is an emergency...make sure to dial 911!