Pacific Northwest heat wave continues after historic weekend

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Monday is the fourth day of what has been a rare and historic heat wave during the month of May in parts of the Pacific Northwest.

When the National Weather Service in Seattle issued an Excessive Heat Watch ahead of the weekend heat wave, it was their first in may from at least 2006.

On Sunday, cities including Florence, Oregon and Hoquiam, Washington set monthly records as highs hit 90.

Seattle’s 89-degree heat on Sunday was the highest temperature on record for the first half of May, and Portland posted its third straight day of 90-degree temperatures. Not even historically hot cities like Dallas have experienced three straight days of 90 degrees or more this year.

Perhaps the most startling stat of all, Squamish, British Columbia hit a record 96 degrees on Sunday, which was hotter than Las Vegas.

The reason for the heat early in the season is a large, strong area of ​​high pressure sitting over the region. High-pressure areas cause air to sink and heat up. The result has been maximum temperatures rising 15 to 30 degrees above average.

Well above average highs, in the 80s and 90s, are forecast to continue through the week with temperatures cooling down a bit by Friday.

According to Climate Central’s Climate Change Index (CSI), record temperatures were reached two to five times more likely because human-caused climate change.

High temperatures are also spreading to parts of western Canada, fueling the unprecedented wildfire conditions underway there. Since the fires are expected to continue to burn, wildfire smoke It will be prolific across Canada and will also descend into parts of the lower 48 states, bringing the potential for air quality issues, milky skies, and vibrant sunrises and sunsets.

While hot and dry conditions dominate the Pacific Northwest region, other parts of the country may experience strong to severe storms and threats of irregular flash flooding throughout the week.

The next three days will feature strong to severe storms across the country.

On Monday, a few strong storms capable of mainly gusty winds will be possible in parts of Iowa into western Kentucky. Nashville, Tennessee and Paducah, Kentucky are the largest metropolitan areas to watch.

On Tuesday, 3 million people in parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and western Virginia could see severe storms capable of high winds and hail. A tornado or two will also be possible. Knoxville, Tennessee, is the largest city in the risk area. Cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, Nashville, and Atlanta could also experience an isolated strong storm.

By Wednesday, strong storms will return to the western High Plains, including parts of eastern Colorado, the Texas Panhandle and western Nebraska. The main risks will be strong winds and hail. Denver, Colorado Springs and Amarillo are the metro areas to watch out for midweek.

Along with scattered severe storms, isolated instances of flash flooding could also be possible, especially with any of the stronger storms that have heavier rainfall rates.

Areas most likely to experience flooding Monday and Tuesday include southern Texas and parts of the Ozark Mountains on Monday and parts of the Ohio River Valley, as well as the southern Appalachians on Tuesday.

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