Warning Description: Special Weather Statement

Warning Date: 3:36 am PDT on May 15, 2008

WarningSum:...Unseasonably Hot Weather Will Affect Western Washington Today
Through Saturday...

Warning Message:After a cool and cloudy Spring in western Washington...a dramatic 
shift to hot and sunny weather will get underway today. Widespread
record high temperatures are expected on Friday.
Temperatures will begin to climb today...as a massive area of
high pressure in the upper atmosphere builds over the region. Weak
northerly onshore flow will keep temperatures from getting really
hot. Still...high temperatures across much of western Washington
will be in the 70s and lower 80s.
Friday will be the hottest day for many spots in western 
Washington....and many record high temperatures are forecast to 
occur. From the coast to the Puget Sound region...temperatures will 
rise into the mid and upper 80s. The east Puget Sound lowlands and 
the southwest interior will reach the lower 90s.
Temperatures along the coast will be a bit cooler Saturday...as
the low level flow begins to turn onshore again. But high
temperatures over the interior lowlands on Saturday will be
similar to Friday.
Sunday is expected to be cooler for all of western Washington as 
marine air from the Pacific Ocean spreads inland. A deeper layer
of marine air will push inland Sunday night...marking a return to
more typical may weather for early next week.
Several record high temperatures will be in jeopardy on Friday and 
Saturday. The following table compares the official National Weather 
Service forecast with record highs at a few locations. Asterices 
indicate records that would be broken or tied based on the current 
forecast.
                 Friday             Saturday 
location       fcst   record      fcst   record   
Bellingham      83*     78         81*     81
sea-tac Arpt    88*     84         87*     85 
Olympia Arpt    90*     86         87      90
Quillayute      83      86         73      82 
Hoquiam         89*     88         74      87
Though it is not forecast...it is possible that sea-tac Airport 
could reach 90 degrees on Friday or Saturday. If this were to
happen...it would be the earliest 90-degree day on record at sea-
tac. The earliest occurrence of 90-degree weather occurred on may
20 1963...when the high reached 92 degrees.
After such cool weather this Spring...people should refresh
themselves on basic hot weather tips. When the weather warms up...be 
sure to slow down...drink plenty of water...wear lightweight and 
light colored clothing...and be sure to protect yourself from 
sunburn by wearing sunscreen and a hat. By Saturday...the humidity 
will rise a bit and make the air feel muggy. The elderly and the
very Young are the most likely groups to experience adverse health
effects from the heat.
When the weather gets hot...it may be tempting to jump into area 
lakes and rivers...some of which will be swollen due to rapid 
snowmelt. Keep in mind that lake water temperatures are still in the 
40s after the Cool Spring weather. Rivers fed with snowmelt could 
easily have water temperatures in the 30s. During Spring heat waves 
of this magnitude...it is ironic that swimmers have died of 
hypothermia after jumping into frigid river or lake waters to escape 
the heat. Despite the hot weather...people should still use cold 
water safety practices by wearing a wetsuit when going into such 
cold waters.
Lastly...with plenty of snow still left in the mountains...the 
northwest weather and avalanche center is forecasting a widespread 
Spring avalanche cycle...and an avalanche warning is issued for 
Thursday through Saturday. Please refer to the latest statements 
from the northwest weather and avalanche center at www.Nwac.US.