Clearing skies, warmer temps around the PNW Tuesday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Clearing skies and sunnier conditions will help send Portland area temperatures back to seasonal conditions Tuesday.

A decrease in clouds will transition to sunnier skies by the mid-afternoon hours. The sunnier weather Tuesday will help push afternoon and early evening temperatures into the upper 70s and low 80s. Tuesday's the start of Oregon and Washington's latest warming trend.

Summer heat returns with highs climbing into the upper 90s and low 100s by Thursday. The potentially dangerous heat is prompting KOIN 6 Weather Alerts later in the week. That comes as unseasonably warm conditions return to the Pacific Northwest.

Potentially record-breaking heat will increase the wildfire threat around the Pacific Northwest this week. Dry and hot conditions east of the Cascades will keep conditions dangerously dry and potentially flammable. Thunderstorms are also possible over the Cascades and in central Oregon by Friday.

The latest round of heat isn't expected to last more than a week. Forecast models are bringing Portland area temperatures back down into the 70s with a chance for showers early next week.