SEATTLE — Sunday, August 16, marked the hottest day of the year in Washington.
Some areas are reached 97 degrees and higher on Sunday due to a ridge of high-pressure building over the area that allowed warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine.
Several areas broke record highs on Sunday:
- Sea-Tac International Airport hit 98 degrees, which is its record from 2002.
- Olympia hit 99 degrees Sunday, beating its old record of 96 degrees from 2012.
- National Weather Service Seattle reported a high of 97 degrees, which broke the daily record of 91 set in 2012.
- Bellingham hit 90 degrees Sunday, breaking its record of 89 degrees in 1967.
- Everett hit 99 degrees, breaking its 2002 record of 89.
- Bremerton Fire confirmed it hit 99 degrees, breaking its old record for the hottest day in 2002.
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The heatwave, coupled with the coronavirus pandemic which forced many public pool closures, caused a lot of people to get out of their homes and seek refuge in Washington waterways.
But officials with Public Health -- Seattle & King County said Friday that more people on the water means more potential for drowning.
King County on average for the month of August sees two or three drownings, but this year that number is almost double and it's only halfway through the month.
“This month of August, we’ve had four confirmed drowning deaths already, with a couple deaths pending investigation,” said Tony Gomez, Violence and Injury Prevention program manager for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
The Red Cross also issued a warning on Friday heading into the hot weekend for swimmers to be aware many communities are not using lifeguards in swimming areas because of budget concerns or to promote social distancing.
The biggest piece of advice from experts is to have your own life jacket and wear it, as well as create a plan and stick to it in case there is an emergency on the water.
Health officials also recommend staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, taking breaks from the sun, and also taking mask breaks.
"Wearing a face covering is a key measure to prevent the spread of COVID, but in hot weather, wearing one can also contribute to overheating," wrote King County health officials in a blog post. "If possible, avoid spending time in hot indoor and outdoor spaces where you also need to wear a face covering. If you are in a public place and need to wear a face covering, take a safely distanced 'mask break' if you are getting too hot and uncomfortable."
For folks who aren't fans of the heat, there is some relief in sight next week. An onshore flow will be bringing temperatures to near normal for this time of year with a mix of clouds and sun.
