100 degrees in Eugene? Extreme heat wave to hit Lane County on Fourth of July weekend

Triple-digit temperatures in Eugene?

An extreme heat wave is expected to hit Oregon late this week, resulting in potential long-lasting high temperatures for Lane County residents.

The National Weather Service in Portland posted its first Excessive Heat Watch warning of the year for the Willamette Valley scheduled to go into effect Thursday — the Fourth of July — and continue through Sunday with dangerously hot temperatures forecast to reach 98 to 105 degrees.

"It looks like the three days of greatest concern as we're looking at it right now is Friday, Saturday, Sunday," said David Bishop, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland. "We are seeing some model guidance and model trends show that the elevated temperatures could last even longer."

Starting Thursday, the daytime high temperature will be near 93 degrees with a low around 59 degrees. Friday will be sunny and hot with a high near 101 degrees and a low around 60. Extreme heat will peak Saturday with a high near 104 degrees and a low around 61. Temperatures will likely fall below triple digits again Sunday with a high near 99 degrees and a low around 59.

What's causing extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest?

In this instance, extreme heat is caused by high pressure in the atmosphere pushing hot air down to the earth's surface.

"We have an upper-level high pressure that is moving into the area. By into the area, I mean the Pacific Northwest as a whole. That is causing what is called kind of compressional heating," Bishop said. "So you have this high pressure that is just pushing all of this air down and as you move down in the atmosphere, temperatures increase."

Wildfire danger to increase in Lane County, Oregon

Wildfire season has stayed quiet in western Oregon so far this season, with cooler and somewhat wetter conditions than normal. Central Oregon has been more active.

However, a long stretch of such hot and dry weather could dry out fuels rapidly and increase wildfire danger quickly , leading to a longer summer stretch at high wildfire risk.

On Monday, the Oregon Department of Forestry officially declared fire season in the Western Lane District, which means the manufacture, sale or use of fireworks in unincorporated areas of Lane County are now prohibited for the Fourth of July weekend.

Escape the heat to the Oregon Coast

The best place to escape the heat, as ever, will be the Oregon Coast, where temperatures are forecast to stay in the 70s, with Tillamook and Astoria reaching the 80s.

"If you're potentially trying to get a reprieve from the very hot temperatures, going to the coast might be able to give you a little bit of leeway on that," Bishop said.

Temperatures forecasted in Florence will range in the high 70s to mid-80s over the Fourth of July weekend.

Safety tips for hot temperatures

Bishop says hot temperatures typically peak anywhere between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., daily.

"The things people need to keep an eye out for are signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, things along those lines," Bishop said. "It's always a good idea to stay hydrated during these times of day if you can avoid being in the direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day."

Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland shared the following safety tips for heat-related weather events:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles, even if the windows are open.
• Check on your animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat.

As the heat persists through the weekend, Bishop advises residents pay attention to the daily forecast, prepare for extreme heat, know the location of local cooling shelters, and to check in on their loved ones.

"Do your best to be a good neighbor," said Bishop. "With these hot temperatures, go check on your neighbors, go check on your friends and family, make sure they're doing ok; especially individuals who are sensitive to heat."

Eugene-area responses to upcoming heat wave

For service providers, the heat wave means opening up cooling shelters, administering support and providing information on how to keep cool when temperatures soar.

Lane County Health and Human Services lays the foundation for extreme weather and air quality event responses. The county maintains information on cooling and smoke shelters . It also shares information on where to go to cool down during a heat wave, how to prevent heat-related illnesses , how to properly hydrate in high temperatures and provides a list of summer tips produced by Black Thistle Street Aid.

In Eugene, the city partners with Lane County to establish supportive resources. These resources are activated when the National Weather Service issues a formal heat advisory where temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days or more.

Lane County’s ‘cooling’ webpage contains information on how and where to keep cool during this heat wave. Here are the County’s current resources:

• Eugene Community Centers
  • Amazon and Petersen Barn community centers are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • The Hilyard Community Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with limited capacity.
  • The Sheldon Community Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • The Campbell Community Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Eugene Cooling Spaces
  • Oregon Department of Human Services offices, located at 2885 Chad Drive and 2101 W. 11th Ave. are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Eugene Public Library locations:
    • Downtown Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Bethel Branch, 1990 Echo Hollow Road, is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Tuesday hours from noon to 8 p.m.
    • Sheldon Branch, 1566 Coburg Road, is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Tuesday hours from noon to 8 p.m.
  • City of Eugene Recreation Centers have a variety of locations and hours available at www.eugene-or.gov/2482/Locations.
  • First Baptist Church of Eugene, located at 3550 Fox Meadow Road, is open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, closed on Saturday, and is open Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Nurturely Lounge, 56 E. 15th Ave., is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provides a family-friendly space with access to a changing table, snacks, water and a lactation lounge. Hours will be adjusted according to local needs and the severity of the weather. Updates can be found at nurturely.org/lounge/ or on Instagram @nurturelylounge.
  • Saint Vincent de Paul of Lane County’s Eugene Service Station, located at 456 Highway 99, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week.
  • Looking Glass Youth Sites New Roads for individuals ages 16 to 24, located at 941 W. Seventh Ave., operates seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Station 7 for individuals ages 11 to 20, located at 931 W. Seventh Ave., is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Springfield resources
  • Springfield City Hall, located at 225 Fifth St., is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays,
  • Springfield Public Library is located inside of Springfield City Hall and follows the same hours of operation.
  • The Bob Keefer Center, 250 S. 32nd St., is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The facility requires attendees to sign in.
  • The Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility requires attendees to sign in.
  • The Orgon Department of Human Services office at 101 30th St. is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with weekend closures.
• Cottage Grove resources
  • Cottage Groce Community Center/Library, located at 700 E. Gibbs Ave., is open Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cottage Grove Community Center and City Hall are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Community Center may open for weekend hours during emergencies.
• Veneta resources
  • Fern Ridge Service Center, located at 25035 W. Broadway Ave, is open Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and plans to operate as a cooling center on days 100 degrees or above if volunteers are staffed.
  • Fern Ridge Library, 88026 Territorial Highway, is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 P.M., Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Florence resources
  • Siuslaw Library, 1460 Ninth St., is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 P.M. to 5 p.m.
  • Mapleton Branch, located at 88148 Riverview Ave., is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
  • The Oregon Department of Human Services office, 3180 US-101, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with weekend closures.

The Lane Transit District is providing free bus rides to and from the nearest bus stop to a cooling shelter while centers are activated. All it takes to utilize this resource is to tell the bus driver that your destination is a cooling center.

Salem Statesman Journal Reporter Zach Urness and Register-Guard Reporter Hannarose McGuinness contributed to this article.

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: 100 degrees in Eugene? Extreme heat wave to hit Lane County on Fourth of July weekend