Expected heat wave could push Bellingham temperatures above 90 for first time this year

A brief heat wave will send temperatures well above normal for late summer in Whatcom County, as a “thermal trough” sweeps into the region starting Wednesday and lasting into Friday.

Bellingham and Whatcom County residents could see the mercury hit 90 degrees for the first time this year, according to forecast from the National Weather Service in Seattle.

“We’ll see a significant jump in high temperatures on Wednesday.” the weather service said online.

Meteorologists issued a heat advisory for Thursday in Western Washington, including western Whatcom and Skagit counties, saying the weather poses a “moderate” risk for heat-related illness.

Temperatures are expected to start rising Wednesday, with a forecast high of 78 in Bellingham. The heat wave is expected to break Friday, with daytime highs falling to around 80 or lower close to Bellingham Bay.

Normal high temperatures for early September in Bellingham are around 70. Record high for Thursday is 86 degrees, set in 1973, according to National Weather Service records.