Hidden dangers to watch for as Whatcom endures its first heat wave of summer
With temperatures expected to rise above 80 degrees in Western Washington for the first time this year, weather forecasters and health and safety officials are reminding residents that extreme heat can kill in several ways 鈥 such as heat stroke, drowning and fires.
Summer鈥檚 first heat wave will arrive quickly on Saturday, June 25, with temperatures spiking 15 to 20 degrees above seasonal norms, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle, which issued a 鈥渟pecial weather statement鈥 this week, increasing that to a heat advisory on Thursday, June 23.
鈥淚t is going to be prudent to take the steps necessary to mitigate heat impacts, such as adequate hydration and proper protection from the sun,鈥 meteorologist Maddie Kristell said in the online forecast discussion.
Meanwhile, water temperatures remain cold, with lakes and rivers at 40 to 50 degrees, the weather service said. 鈥淐old water-related impacts are also much more likely, as such, it is important to remember that area rivers are going to be running fast and are still very cold. The air may be hot, but the water is still dangerously cold,鈥 Kristell said.
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