On the July 4 holiday, temperatures are expected to peak in the afternoon in the low 90s but the heat will grow over the next several days into the post-holiday weekend.
“Our confidence is growing that we will be well into the 90s, if not at 100 degrees,” said Tyler Kranz, a lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Portland.
The probability of temperatures at 100 degrees or warmer on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is currently 50%-60%, he said. There’s a 25% chance that Portland could reach 110 Saturday. The map above lays out the probability for different areas of western Oregon.
Monday could also get that hot, he added, though the probability for triple-digit temperatures drops to 15 to 30%.
“Long story short, it’s going to be hot,” Kranz said.
While Portland probably won’t hit a record on the Fourth of July, the next three days are all up for grabs, with standing records at 95 to 98 degrees.
“It’s safe to say July 5th through the 7th, record-breaking heat is becoming increasingly likely,” Kranz said.
Along with record-breaking heat we also have high fire danger and increased health risks for those with heat-related illnesses, those who work outdoors and those recreating outdoors. To see where the heat risk is the highest in the state, the National Weather Service has a map that highlights the risk levels from moderate to extreme. Much of western Oregon will be in the “major” range with some areas falling under “extreme” heat risk. See the map and graph to view your location.
Stories about the July Fourth heat wave
- Oregon heat wave topped out Tuesday at record-breaking 110 degrees in Hermiston
- 9 deaths now tied to excessive heat in Oregon
- Oregon coast businesses, hotels feel ‘bump’ from tourists escaping the heat
- West Linn drowning victim left life jacket on dock, first responders say
- Some school summer programming paused in Portland area due to lack of air conditioning