Burn on the Fourth of July? Caution urged as temps remain high through weekend

Meteorologists urge caution: Make sure the things sizzling this weekend are on our barbecues, not dry grasses around misplaced fireworks, or the fair skins of Oregonians eager for a little sun.

High temperatures are expected to hover in the upper eighties for Independence Day, but should climb into the upper 90s on Friday, July 5. The heat could stick around through the middle of week.

Some parts of the metro area could crack the triple-digit barrier this weekend.

Nightly lows won’t be that low, either, climbing into the mid to upper 60s through Wednesday, July 10.

Josh Cozart, a meteorologist for KOIN 6 News, said an “omega blocking pattern” is the reason behind the extended hot forecast, which is taking shape over much of the western half of the United States.

“This type of setup blocks any cooler air from moving into the Pacific Northwest,” he said. “This blocking pattern will last through much of the next week.”

Cozart predicted the daily temperatures in the Portland metro area will be about 10 to 15 degrees above the average for early July.

See Cozart’s full report here .

The National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning for much of the Willamette Valley starts at noon Thursday and is expected to end at 11 p.m. Sunday.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has activated the state Emergency Coordination Center in response to the upcoming heatwave, Gov. Tina Kotek’s office announced Wednesday. And Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency from noon Friday through noon Monday.

Oregonians should be monitoring themselves and their loved ones for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include feeling dizzy; excessive sweating; nausea or vomiting; clammy skin and muscle cramps.

Symptoms of heat stroke include feeling confused; high body temperatures; nausea or vomiting and becoming unconscious. Heavy sweating may continue, like in heat exhaustion, but heat stroke also can cause the person to stop sweating and leave their skin hot and dry.

Reporter Anna Del Savio contributed to this report.