Several Northwest cities set record high temperatures on Sunday. Those include Spokane, whose 102 degrees tied the record.
Omak and Ephrata set records with 109 degree temperatures. It was the third consecutive day for a record in Ephrata. Moses Lake also reached 109 degrees. No record there. Lewiston and Wenatchee set records with 107 degree temperatures.
In Washington, the National Weather Service reports the Methow Valley recorded 106 degrees on Sunday, Colville 104. In north Idaho, Coeur d'Alene experienced 102 degrees on a day when it held its annual Ironman Triathlon.
The hottest temperatures came in southeastern Washington and northern Oregon. The Dalles and Pasco led with 115 degrees, all-time records in both places. Hanford and Hermiston, Oregon both recorded 114 degrees.
Tuesday is expected to be the peak heat day, then a very gradual cooling.
“Even though we might be a bit cooler as we go into the Fourth of July weekend, it still looks like it’s going to be a hot holiday weekend, maybe not all-time record-breaking temperatures, but still very hot," says National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Bodnar.
And with those hot temperatures come the possibility of more wildfires. Washington’s state Fire Marshal’s office on Sunday announced it is sending help to Adams County to fight a sagebrush and grass fire burning near Lind. It is covering about 20,000 acres.
Tuesday's projected high temperatures range from 106 in Pullman to 116 in Lewiston and Moses Lake.