Heat wave brings triple-digit temperatures to Pacific Northwest, efforts begin to provide relief

By OPB staff (OPB)
July 25, 2022 5:40 p.m. Updated: July 26, 2022 10:17 p.m.

The temperature in Portland could top 100 degrees Tuesday, as a weeklong heat wave moves through the Pacific Northwest.

Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Management is working with Multnomah County to opening cooling centers in public buildings and installing misting stations in parks.

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A colorful map of the Pacific Northwest shows the severity of a heat wave in the region.

A National Weather Service map shows the severity of the heat wave forecasted in the Pacific Northwest region this week. The darker hues of red and orange indicate high temperatures while the yellows and greens indicate cooler temperatures.

Photo of National Weather Service map / OPB

In the Portland metro area, the temperature is expected remain in the high 90s through at least Thursday. Elsewhere in the state, triple-digit temperatures will last through at least Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Bend should top out at 103 degrees on Thursday, while Pendleton could reach 109 on Thursday and Friday.

The Medford area could reach 107 degrees Monday and could also peak at 109 degrees this week.

And throughout the state, there will be little relief overnight. Forecasters say the temperature may not drop below 70 in many areas.

For information about hot weather resources across Oregon and Southwest Washington, including help getting to a cool space, visit 211info.org or call 211.

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Resources in the Portland metro area

In Portland, four overnight cooling shelters will be available beginning Tuesday at 2 p.m., and many public libraries are staying open until at least 8 p.m. starting tonight Monday. The cooling shelters can be found at the following locations:

  • Charles Jordan Community Center: 9009 N. Foss Ave.
  • East Portland Community Center: 740 S.E. 106th Ave.
  • Portland Building: 1120 S.W. 5th Ave.
  • Sunrise Center: 18901 E. Burnside

A daytime-only cooling center will be open Tuesday, from 2 to 10 p.m. at 435 N.W. Glisan St., Portland. Three Multnomah County public libraries will stay open until 9 p.m.: the Central, Gresham and Holgate branches.

Portland also will host misting stations from noon to 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday at six parks:

Beginning Monday, and for the extent of the emergency declaration, TriMet will not turn away anyone riding to a cool place who cannot afford to pay fare. Officials with the transit agency are asking riders to let their driver know they are headed to a cool place.

When riding transit during extreme heat, riders will want to plan extra time and check trimet.org/alerts, as there may be heat-related delays to service.

The Joint Office of Homeless Services’ supply center in downtown Portland continues to distribute water and other cooling supplies through community partners, including mutual aid groups and contracted outreach teams. That effort will continue throughout the duration of the heat event. So far, thousands of bottles of water and hundreds of cooling kits and gallon jugs of water have been distributed.


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