Blistering Tri-Cities temps could shatter heat records this week

The heat wave baking the Tri-Cities was forecast to peak Tuesday and Wednesday.

The National Weather Service forecast highs of 109 on those two days, possibly setting new daily heat records.

The daily hot temperature record for July 9 is 106 set in 1905.

The temperature record for Wednesday which would need to beat the record of 106 set in 1975.

The temperature reached 100 for the first time this year on Friday and 100 degrees was recorded both that day and Saturday. On Sunday the temperature topped out at 105 at the airport in Pasco. On Monday the high temperature was 104.

The weather service predicts at least 11 straight days of temperatures of 100 or warmer through Monday July 15.

The Weather Channel, which publishes a longer forecast , predicts 100 degree heat through Wednesday, July 17.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning through 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, for most of Eastern Washington.

Smoke from the Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan has drifted toward the Tri-Cities making the sky hazy at times.

As high pressure that has brought the hot temperatures shows signs of breaking down, it could bring unstable weather that could contribute to wildfire hazards.

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch Wednesday afternoon and evening in the Tri-Cities area. It may escalate to a red flag fire warning.

Breezy weather and relative humidity as low as 12% could cause fires to spread rapidly, according to the weather service.

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