Heat wave to hit the US Pacific Northwest for several days

• A powerful heat wave will hit the Pacific Northwest of the United States for several days.
• The intense heat is expected to be the worst experienced by the region since last year’s «historic and deadly heat wave.»
• More than 40 million people are under alert due to high temperatures.

Authorities on Sunday issued an excessive heat warning for the United States’ Pacific Northwest region for the next several days as potential record temperatures are forecast to settle and remain through next weekend, said The Associated Press.

Temperatures could break daily records in Seattle, Portland and areas of Northern California by Tuesday, July 26, potentially reaching their highest levels since last year’s deadly heat wave that killed hundreds in the Pacific Northwest.

Heat alert issued in the Pacific Northwest

High temperatures ranging from 95 degrees (35 degrees Celsius) to 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius) were forecast for inland areas. An excessive heat watch was issued for central and eastern Washington state and the central Idaho Panhandle from Tuesday morning, July 26, through Friday evening, July 29.

Much of the region is not used to such high temperatures and many houses do not have air conditioning. Officials warned that indoor heat is likely to rise during the week, increasing the chances of people suffering from heat-related illnesses.

There will be little relief at night

There will be little relief overnight, forecasters said. “This heat wave is going to last several days. And with little relief at night, the risks will compound,» Multnomah County President Deborah Kafoury said in an announcement, according to the AP.

The average low temperature in the Portland area is 58 degrees (14 degrees Celsius) in July, but the nighttime temperature may not drop below 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) in the coming week. As a result, authorities said they planned to open overnight cooling shelters as soon as Tuesday.

More than 40 million under alert

Also, more than 40 million people in the US are under a heat alert on Monday morning, July 25, mainly in the Northeast and Central America and in the Pacific Northwest. But after Tuesday, temperatures in the Northeast will begin to drop closer to normal levels.

In the center of the country, parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi are under heat advisories where high temperatures could reach 112 degrees until Tuesday, July 26, reported CNN.