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Unprecedented: Northwest heat waves build, records fall

Tensed. Longevity. Record-breaking. Unprecedented. Abnormal. Dangerous

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Unprecedented: Northwest heat waves build, records fall

The National Weather Service describes the historic heat wave that hit the Pacific Northwest. It pushed daytime temperatures into triple digits, disrupting Olympic qualifying events, and setting new high-temperature records in areas unaccustomed to such extreme heat.

Portland, Oregon reached 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44.4 Celsius), breaking the record for all-time temperatures of 108 F (42.2C) set just one day earlier.

The U.S. track & field trials in Eugene, Oregon were stopped Sunday afternoon. Fans were asked to leave the stadium because of extreme heat. According to the National Weather Service, it reached 110 F in Eugene (43.3 C), breaking the record of 108 F (42.2 C).

Salem, Oregon's capital city, recorded the highest temperature ever recorded in its history on Sunday at 112 F (44.4 C), surpassing the previous record by 4 degrees.

In Seattle, the temperature reached 104 F (40 C). According to the NWS, this was an all-time record in a city more known for its rain than heat. It was also the first consecutive triple-digit day since records were started in 1894.

Record breaking was taking place in the region. The already scorching temperatures were set to heat up Monday, before cooling off Tuesday.

Power outages were also reported. Portland General Electric reported that about 3,000 customers in greater Portland were without power Sunday afternoon. Puget Sound Energy reported that there were 3,400 customers without electricity in the greater Seattle region.

The heat wave reached British Columbia. Lyton, a Canadian village, saw the temperature reach 115 F (46.9 C) Sunday afternoon. This was a record-breaking heatwave in Canada.

A heat advisory is in effect across most of Western Canada. The country's weather agency reports that numerous daily temperature records have been broken across British Columbia. This is located directly north of Washington state.

Seattle was so hot Sunday that the city parks department shut down a community pool in the south section of the city due to "unsafe, hazardous pool deck temperatures."

King County shut down several COVID-19 test sites due to the heat. The Seattle Times reported that additional branches of public libraries were opened in Seattle on Sunday and Monday to provide additional cooling facilities.

Sound Transit stated Sunday that Seattle's light rail trains could have to run at reduced speeds due to excessive heat on their tracks. This could lead to delays that could extend into the work week.

The heat wave has also reached Idaho. Boise is expected to see temperatures of 100 F (38 C), starting Monday. Forecasters predicted that Ontario, Oregon, a city close to the Idaho border, could experience at least one week of triple-digit temperatures. This includes a high of 110 F (42.8 C) on Wednesday.

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