SEATTLE — Northwesterners more accustomed to rain and cooler climate sought refuge from a heat wave Wednesday, as Seattle recorded the hottest temperature in its history and Portland edged closer to its own record-breaker.
The National Weather Service in Seattle recorded 102 degrees by midday at Seattle- Tacoma International Airport, breaking a previous record of 100 degrees, set in 1941 and repeated in 1994.
Jay Albrecht, a meteorologist with the service, said it’s the hottest it has been in Seattle, based on records dating to 1891.
Meanwhile, Portland ventured into its third day of triple-digit heat Wednesday, hitting a record 106 degrees at its airport. Forecasters said there’s a slight chance the city could reach or even surpass its all-time high of 107 degrees, hit four times, most recently in 1981.
Doug McDonnal, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Seattle, said the stretch of hot weather has lasted longer than usual. Wednesday was the fifth consecutive day above 85 degrees for Seattle, he said.
Throughout the region, shade, icy treats, ice-cold water, air-conditioning units and fans were in high demand.
Geno Garcia, 40, a Boeing machinist, headed straight for Sears in Seattle early Wednesday when the family’s air-conditioning unit broke down.
“We could have lived without it, but it would have been uncomfortable,” he said.
Garcia said his family plans to keep cool by hunkering down in the one bedroom that’s air-conditioned.
Not everyone was avoiding the outdoors. Enes Parker, manager of the Lacey (Wash.) Senior Center, said she found indoor air conditioning too cold.
“I’m one of the few who like the heat,” Parker said. “I go outside every so often to warm up. I love the heat. It’s always too cold here.”
