Willamette Valley cities post hottest July on record; Oregon wildfire conditions roar back

The Willamette Valley’s largest cities posted their hottest July on record in 2024 , according to data from the National Weather Service in Portland.

Salem’s average temperature was 74.4, a decent bit warmer than previous highs of 73.3 in 2021 and 73.1 in 2015, in records dating back to 1893.

Eugene’s average temperature was 72.4, breaking the previous record of 71.5 in 2015 and 71.2 in 2022, in records dating back to 1893.

Portland’s average temperature was 74.4 degrees this past July, breaking the previous record of 74.1 set in 1995, in records dating back to 1940.

Across Oregon, it was the second-hottest July on record, at 70.3 degrees, which is second only to 2021, when the temperature averaged 71.4, according to preliminary weather data.

The average temperature across Oregon since the late 1800s is 64.8 degrees.

NWS meteorologist Noah Alviz said the heat was a combination of warm nights and hot days that brought little relief in July.

“We had a really big ridge of high pressure that didn’t break down easily for most of July,” Alviz said. “That didn’t allow much onshore flow from the Pacific and kept temperatures hot for most of July.

“A lot of days we were starting the day warmer and it would just build up on those urban heat islands, which mean it didn’t take much to get up to triple digits.”

Eugene and Salem broke a record for most consecutive days above 100 degrees with five.

The hot and dry conditions — combined with a large number of lightning strikes — has led to numerous wildfires across the state. It took what was forecasted as a possibly mellow fire season and turned it into a busy one.

A majority of Oregon's hottest summers and hottest years have been recorded since 2000 and especially 2020.

Wildfire concern in Oregon this weekend?

It could be an active weekend for wildfires, with hot temperatures and possible thunderstorms across the state. The greatest concern for lightning and thunderstorms is the central and eastern parts of the state, but it’s also possible in the central Cascade Range.

“In our area — northwest Oregon and the western Cascades — the storms are more of a slight concern,” Alvez said. “They’re most worried east of the Cascades, where more lightning is expected.”

In response, officials pre-positioned fire crews in central Oregon, in preparation for active fire conditions.

"With hot temperatures, Red Flag warnings in place, and lightning in the forecast, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is pre-positioning two structural task forces in Central Oregon. The task forces are from Lincoln and Polk counties," a news release said.

The task forces have 26 firefighters, eight engines and two water tenders. Official they would be pre-positioned for 72 hours and could be extended for up to two weeks if needed.

Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest assistant fire director, said he expected wildfires to grow across the Pacific Northwest over the coming weeks.

“August is showing us nothing but hot, dry, windy conditions and dry lightning all in the first week,” he said. “Exhausted crews finally caught a much needed weather break, but this wildfire year is going to get worse before it gets better.”

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast . Urness is the author of “ Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon ” and “ Hiking Southern Oregon .” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Willamette Valley cities post hottest July on record; Oregon wildfire conditions roar back