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This live blog will be updated throughout Thursday, Sept. 5.
PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Extreme heat is expected in the Portland metro region on Thursday as the National Weather Service anticipates temperatures to reach nearly 100 degrees.
Excessive heat warnings for portions of northwest and west central Oregon and southwest Washington will be in effect from noon Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday.
In response to dangerously high temperatures, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency effective 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Multnomah County will open two daytime cooling centers at Cook Plaza and Portland Covenant Church from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
This unusually late summer spike in heat will align with potentially gusty easterly winds Thursday, according to a Fire Weather Watch from the NWS. Forecasters predict wind gusts as high as 30 mph as humidity gets as low as 17%.
These easterly winds could make their way through the Cascades and create dry conditions through the Columbia River Gorge — creating ripe conditions for potential wildfires.
The Columbia River Gorge also faces a Red Flag Warning from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Thursday due to wind gusts as high as 35 mph and humidity levels ranging from 20-30%.
11:30 a.m.
In a press conference, Multnomah County leaders announced cooling centers would remain open from noon to 9 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday .
Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno also reminded the public to check on on their neighbors as temperatures reach dangerous levels for those working and living outdoors as well as elderly residents who live alone.
“Heat does not affect everyone equally,’’ Dr. Bruno said. “Of the 85 people who died of heat between 2021 and 2023, two out of three were men over age 50. Most individuals died alone at home or in their apartment without air conditioning.”
11 a.m.
Three cooling centers are available in Hillsboro on Thursday and Friday: Shute Park Library, Brookwood Library, SHARC & Hidden Creek Community Center.
The Shute Park Library will extend its hours until 9 p.m. both nights, while the other two options will maintain their usual hours.
10 a.m.
Multnomah County’s state of emergency went into effect at 10 a.m. Thursday, prompting the county to open two daytime cooling centers from noon to 9 p.m. Officials are expected to announce whether cooling centers will reopen Friday by the end of the day.
6 a.m.
TriMet is asking riders to prepare for excessively hot temperatures on Thursday as the dangerous heat could impact service on MAX and WES routes, since speeds are slowed down when it hits triple digits in the forecast.
Furthermore, TriMet says no one heading to a cooling center from between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday will be turned away if they don’t have fare.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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