WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Alert level rises to Extreme Heat Warning

(Clickable map is on National Weather Service site; basically, darker color = higher alert level)

A few hours into what was a Heat Advisory alert, the National Weather Service has raised it to an Extreme Heat Warning, in effect through early Tuesday morning. From the full alert:

* WHAT…Hot conditions with high temperatures ranging from the upper 80s to mid 90s and low temperatures in the mid 60s. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.

* WHERE…City of Seattle, Eastside, and Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties.

* WHEN…Until 5 AM PDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS…Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Duwanesque August 22, 2025 (3:50 pm)

“EXTREME Heat Warning”… Mid to upper 80s people…In August. Can we add this along with Bomb Cyclone and Atmospheric River to the list of meteorological hyperbolics? *Laughs in Arizonan*

WSB August 22, 2025 (5:47 pm)

Yes, I know it seems a bit much, but all it takes is a little bonus humidity to make it extra hard to bear, even for those of us who spent many years in triple-digit heat (Las Vegas, Grand Junction). And I really feel sorry for my longhaired cat, who spends this level of heat wave stalking around the house and stretching out in various spots until he wears out whatever coolness he found. Anyway, this is an actual alert term from authorities as opposed to the other two, which are mostly things other news outlets put into headlines as clickbait …
- Seattlite August 22, 2025 (8:11 pm)
  
  Agree. It does not take that high of a heat wave temp to cause senior citizens to dehydrate. Dehydration happens faster and swifter in seniors especially if they are out walking, gardening, etc. Remember to carry water with you on your walks during hot days. Water is essential for all ages during high temps.
- bill August 22, 2025 (8:37 pm)
  
  You could get your kitty a “Lion Cut”. The fur is shaved close all over the body. The cat’s legs and head are left alone, which for some reason would disturb the cat if shaved. Most of the tail may be shaved, except for a tuft at the tip. Our neighbor’s long haired very dense-coated cat loved it.
  - Ferns August 22, 2025 (9:11 pm)
    
    Consider that a feature of longer fur is that it splits open to release body heat whereas shorter fur may not. At least for certain dog species, cutting their coat impedes this and actually makes them hotter. I have tried a Kitty lion cut before and mine seemed to like it. It was to reduce shedding though. And his short fur did not seem to “split” open like it needs to keep him cool, but he lives in air conditioning so I wasn’t worried. Something to consider!
- T Rex August 23, 2025 (8:34 am)
  
  If your cat will allow it, a small towel with water from the faucet can be laid on your cat and help when it is this hot. I had a black longhair and she loved it.
  - WSB August 23, 2025 (11:46 am)
    
    Thank you. A friend of mine who used to have a long-hair (we had shorthair cats dating back to when I was 18) suggested something similar and I probably will during this heat wave – TR
BreadCats August 22, 2025 (6:29 pm)

It’s kind of a jerk move to be dismissive about something that does actually result in the death of folks, especially people who aren’t acclimated to the heat. I’m from the tropics so I’m fine, but my older neighbors who have lived here their whole lives are at a health risk.
Westwood August 22, 2025 (7:13 pm)

I don’t hear you laughing in Arizona without air conditioning, literally everywhere.
WS98 August 22, 2025 (7:16 pm)

You can laugh as an Arizonan but this is not historically normal for the cool PMW. Climate change at the hands of humans is real.
Rhonda August 22, 2025 (9:56 pm)

Duwanesque, my 62 year-old body doesn’t do well in anything over 80° and I actually get nauseous, weak, dizzy, etc. This is despite being physically fit and well-hydrated.
Ada August 22, 2025 (10:43 pm)

Other than Alaska at 7%, Washington state is the least air conditioned state in the US with 53% of homes having AC. As opposed to Arizona at 90% of homes. So maybe don’t be a jerk thinking upper 80’s is no big deal in a place where half the households have no relief from the heat.

Sunrise Heights August 22, 2025 (6:14 pm)

As someone who grew up in much hotter climates, I scoff a bit at this stuff too. I also have learned a lot about the way humidity compounds heat and about the important process of acclimation, which seems to take 10-14 days. Warning those who may be more vulnerable seems worth doing. And those of us who aren’t can perhaps practice empathy instead of scoffing. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Is empathy really that much harder than the alternative?

Rhonda August 22, 2025 (6:40 pm)

Fall can’t get here fast enough!!! 🍁🍂

Big Beautiful Bart August 22, 2025 (7:30 pm)

Disgusting. I don’t understand how anyone could like this and I’m from a hot climate state.

Admiral2009 August 22, 2025 (10:20 pm)

And the City had the gaul to end the wading pools season at Hiawatha and many other parks way before the of the Summer!

WSB August 22, 2025 (10:51 pm)

This is the schedule they’ve kept for more than a decade. They have to make seasonal hires, etc. If you want them to change the season, might be a good thing to lobby for in the offsesaon.
- Arch Stanton August 23, 2025 (5:32 am)
  
  It’s hopefully quite clear that the climate is shifting. The city will have to eventually adjust to new normals of longer hot and dry weather to accommodate.

Rhonda August 23, 2025 (12:11 am)

South Park August 23, 2025 (7:21 am)

It supposed to be 100 degrees in the Portland/Vancouver area. My son and his friend are driving down to buy an In-N-Out burger.

WSB August 23, 2025 (2:11 pm)

Hope they got there safely and didn’t have to wait long, given it’s the new burger joint’s first weekend! Temp in Ridgefield right now is 96 degrees so 100 is in view …

Natty RAD! August 23, 2025 (7:26 am)

I’ve only lived in the Seattle area for 3 years but in that short time I’ve gotten acclimated to the mild temperatures. I love the sun but don’t care much for the heat. My portable AC will be getting lots of use this weekend 🥶