Fourth of July records threatened around Portland metro

The first heat wave of the summer will send temperatures to nearly record-breaking territory this Fourth of July Thursday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The first heat wave of the summer will send temperatures close to record-breaking highs this Fourth of July Thursday.

An abundance of sunshine Thursday will warm temperatures rapidly across the Pacific Northwest. Highs are expected to round out in the low to mid-90s by the end of the holiday. The excessive heat will near the record-breaking temperature of 97 degrees for Portland. The last time a record was broken on Independence Day was in 1972.

Temperatures last year were just shy of breaking the record, but the record is threatened once again this year. The record-breaking temperatures will continue through the next several days. Triple-digit heat will likely continue to set new records through the weekend.

Those spending time out at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival should use extreme caution. Free water, misting stations, and the ability to cool off on the second floor of the Marriott Hotel should be utilized. Afternoon highs Thursday will warm into the low to mid-90s. The warm afternoon temperatures will linger through the Fourth of July fireworks show. Temperatures will linger in the 70s and 80s.

Excessive heat has prompted a KOIN 6 Weather Alert that will last through the weekend and into the start of next week. This first stretch of dangerous heat will make it difficult to spend a prolonged amount of time outdoors.

Temperatures will only cool by a few degrees next week. That's where afternoon highs will still sit nearly 10-15 degrees above normal.

Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team as this latest stretch of dangerous heat continues to develop.