Seattle hot weather updates: Early heat wave sizzles Western WA

For the fourth day in a row, Seattle saw the hottest temperatures ever recorded on a specific date.

Around 3 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service documented 88 degrees at its Sea-Tac International Airport station, breaking the previous record high of 85 degrees, set in 2007.

The heat wave is expected to continue but should cool off next week, with forecasted highs several degrees lower.

It's too hot for hot food. So click here for three easy heat-wave recipes suggested by Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement.

There is still no real sign of a large-scale cool-down in the weather pattern that is baking Northwest cities and causing Canadian wildfires to flare up again.

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With thunderstorms potentially on the way, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of Western Washington from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m, as the evening could see brief, heavy downpours.

In the mountains, with already wet snow melt, the storms could lead to flash flooding, which could prove especially troublesome in sensitive areas like burn scars, the National Weather Service in Seattle says.

See the full gallery here.

What's good to eat when it's too hot to eat (besides Popsicles)? Here are a few items off a list put together by food critic Bethany Jean Clement to help get us through the heat wave.

• Sandwiches! Specifically, banh mi, with their airy baguettes and slightly spicy bite, make superlative, easy hot-weather eating.
• Do not overlook the greatness of cold noodles.
• How about a salad? Also, at lunchtime: the sardine sandwich, with more crisp Bibb lettuce and lots of mayo — get it!

Check out the rest of Clement's recommendations here.

Rip currents are extremely strong, fast (up to eight feet per second) and can extend out from the shore for over 1,000 feet and reach a width of 100 feet.

Sneaker waves are large, fast-moving waves that appear with no warning after long periods (10 to 20 minutes) of calm surf and much smaller waves. They can surge up the beach more than 150 feet. Sneaker waves can lift and roll large beached logs, trapping or crushing people without warning.

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With the hot weather comes a need to take a few precautions to keep your pets safe. The Seattle Animal Shelter and Seattle Humane Society offer these tips:

• Take it easy. Avoid overexerting animals in hot weather. Obesity, old age, underlying disease and previous bouts of heat stroke can predispose an animal to the condition.
• Provide clean, cool water. Change out the water in pet dishes to ensure it is cool. If your dog uses a water tower or large dish, consider adding a few ice chips.
• Provide shade and a cool place to rest. Bird cages and pet beds should be moved away from direct sunlight. Never leave an animal chained or penned in direct sunlight.

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Here are some ways you can take care of yourself and others during the heat in the Seattle area.

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Clouds will begin to form over the Cascades on Monday afternoon thanks to a pool of cooler air slowly drifting closer from Oregon, the National Weather Service said.

This will set the stage for thunderstorms across the region as the area of high pressure anchored over much of Western Washington collides with the colder system moving over the northern portion of Oregon, creating an unstable atmosphere.

Snowmelt keeps the temperatures of most rivers and lakes in the upper 40s to low 50s this time of year. Puget Sound's temperature is in the mid-40s, making cold-water shock a real concern for swimmers of all abilities.

The National Weather Service advises using caution during water activities to avoid hypothermia and water-related injuries for those seeking relief in area lakes, rivers and streams. Cold water can drain body heat up to four times faster than cold air, the weather service said.

Here's how to stay safe while swimming and playing in the region's bodies of water.

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There's only been six years since 1948 when Seattle saw temperatures in the high 80s in May.

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Heat waves pose a conundrum for the Seattle-area hiker: You want to make the most of our dry hiking season, but passing out on the trail from heat stroke isn’t exactly how you want your outing to end.

Here are some suggestions for safely beating the heat if you plan on hiking in the coming days.

Read the full story here.

As temperatures soar, Washington residents may be planning to counter the heat with their first swim or paddle of the season.

But water safety experts advise recreationalists to proceed with caution as the mercury rises, given that lakes have yet to warm up, and snowmelt is coursing through many rivers, making them especially cold.

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With Seattle-area temperatures expected to reach into the 80s (and maybe even 90s), the King County Regional Homelessness Authority moved to activate severe weather response protocols through Monday.

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There’s a good chance Seattle will set a record high for the fourth day in a row. Here's the latest weather forecast, which includes thunderstorms and lightning through midweek.

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Seattle's Monday morning low of 63 degrees — only three degrees below the normal high for May 15 of 66 — ties for the warmest May low temperature on record, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday broke the record for the hottest May 14 in the region. That record was set in 2018 when the weather station at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded a temperature of 88 degrees.

Seattle had already broke a record this weekend: Saturday’s high of 86 was the hottest recorded temperature for May 13. The previous high for that date was set in 2018.

Forecasters expect temperatures to stay in the 80s for days to come.

Read the full story here.