Blistering heat sends Portland area temperatures close to 100 Friday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The first real heat wave of summer will push temperatures to 100 degrees for the first time this year by Friday afternoon.

Thursday's warmer weather was just a taste of the excessive heat that's still to come this week. Portland area temperatures are expected to hit the tipple-digit mark by Friday and will continue to see highs in the 100-degree territory through the start of next week.

The National Weather Service out of Portland is keeping an Excessive Heat Warning in place for the Willamette Valley and much of western Oregon and southwest Washington through the start of next week. Very little relief is expected even during the overnight hours. Morning lows are only expected to fall into the upper 60s to low 70s through next week. Those warmer early morning lows will help mid-morning and afternoon temperatures warm rapidly.

The hot and dry conditions have also prompted a 'Fire Weather Watch' from the National Weather Service for central and southwest Oregon Friday afternoon and evening. That's where wind gusts could near 20-35 mph with low relative humidity values. Wildfires can potential start and spread rapidly during these conditions.

Records will likely fall in the coming days as the dangerous heat continues. A KOIN 6 Weather Alert remains in place through next Tuesday. That's due to the threat of impactful temperatures causing harm to those who can't escape the warmer than normal heat.

Temperatures are expected to slowly cool by the end of next week. Cooling in the regard is only falling back into the low 90s. Temperatures around Portland are expected to stay well above average through next weekend.