WASHINGTON, USA — Saturday brought record-breaking heat across western Washington, just days before the official start of spring.
According to the National Weather Service, Washington broke daily temperature records at all of its climate sites on March 15.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded 74 degrees, breaking the previous daily record of 72 degrees. Meanwhile, the city of Seattle clocked 71 degrees, which passes the previous daily record of 70 degrees.
Quillayute hit 80 degrees, which smashes the previous daily record of 64 degrees. Also near the coast, Hoquiam hit 73 degrees, which beats the previous daily record of 65 degrees.
In Olympia, temperatures reached 74 degrees, passing the previous daily record of 70 degrees.
To the north, Bellingham recorded 68 degrees, beating the previous daily record of 63 degrees.
As temperatures warm the air, Meteorologist Leah Pezzetti reminds Washingtonians that Puget Sound and coastal waters remain frigid. Temperatures in local waterways range from 40 to 52 degrees in rivers and approximately 46 degrees in Lake Washington or Puget Sound.
Hypothermia can be a big risk and if people decide to jump in, their swim should be brief and accompanied with a life jacket, Pezzetti said.
Sunny days also bring increased snowmelt, which adds to avalanche risk, Pezzetti said. Western Washington is at a moderate avalanche risk as of Saturday, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.
The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19.
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