Get ready to feel the heat.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch Friday, warning of dangerously hot conditions for south central, southwest and west central Idaho next week. The watch will go into effect Monday and last through Thursday.
Stephen Parker, a National Weather Service meteorologist out of Boise, said that the watch will become a warning when the high temperatures are imminent.
RECORD TEMPERATURES EXPECTED
Current forecasts show Boise experiencing temperatures north of 100 degrees as soon as Sunday.
This coming week, the national weather service has forecasted multiple days with temperatures in excess of 105 degrees, and approaching 110 degrees by the middle of the week.
While there a slight drop after that, the triple digit temperatures are forecasted to continue through to the weekend.
“To have a streak of four or more days of 105 degrees is rare,” Parker said. “It’s only a happened a few times in the past.”
The temperature is expected to peak on Wednesday, which has the potential to reach the all-time temperature record for Boise of 111 degrees, set on July 19, 1960.
“Wednesday right now looks like it’s probably going to be our warmest day,” Parker said. “Current forecast is 109, our all-time high is 111.”
In terms of specific days that records are likely to be set, Parker pointed to that Wednesday as the most likely candidate. The record high for the date, July 10, is 105 degrees and current forecast bookends the Wednesday with temperatures of 108 degrees and 109 degrees, Parker said.
“That date in particular, that one looks like it’s very likely to fall,” Parker said.
This record-setting temperature window can be attributed to what Parker called an “omega blocking pattern” that will be hitting the Pacific Northwest.
Parker described the phenomenon as a strong, high-temperature ridge flanked by lower temperature troughs. The stable, stationary nature of the pattern allows the high temperatures to stick in an area for an extended period of time.
“The Pacific Northwest is going to be dominated by this pattern for the next week,” Parker said.
Temperatures in Portland, Oregon, which generally has a cooler climate this time of year than Boise, is projected to be at or over 100 degrees early next week. Seattle, Washington, projects to have temperatures top 90 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
As the heat ridge shifts eastward, the temperature will slowly move to the “inland Pacific Northwest,” Parker said.
He added that Idaho temperatures should cool a few degrees as the ridge moves to center over Wyoming, but temperatures will continue to be “above normal” into the weekend.
ALL IDAHOANS AT RISK
Idahoans should be looking to limit their exposure to heat, drink plenty of fluids and, for those without access to air conditioning, ensure fans are up and running. Children, the elderly, as well as those with pre-existing conditions that inhibit the body’s ability to cool down should also look to stay minimally active, Parker said.
Neither children nor pets should be left in a vehicle for any period of time. According to Friday’s high heat watch, “car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,” under high heat conditions.
Even those in good health who take proper precautions should be aware that they are still at risk of heat injury when the temperatures cross into the triple digits.
“What we’re trying to communicate to people is that even if you take reasonable precautions, you might still get hurt,” Parker said.
Residents should make an effort to check up on neighbors. Pets and animals are of particular concern and should not be left outside in the sun for any extended period of time, Parker said.
"Everybody’s going to need extra care next week,” Parker said. “So to the extent that we can, be good neighbors, help each other out.”
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