A strong ridge of high pressure amplified over the Western US at the end of June, affecting the Pacific Northwest. This resulted in the first heatwave across Western Washington, with high temperatures climbing well into the 80s and even 90s.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SEW wrote it up.
A strong ridge of high pressure amplified over the Western US at the end of June, affecting the Pacific Northwest. This resulted in the first heatwave across Western Washington, with high temperatures climbing well into the 80s and even 90s. In addition to the heat, cold water was also a concern as people looked for relief from the heat.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Seattle, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 25, 8:32 AM PST, 3 hours 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Seattle WA
932 AM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022
.SYNOPSIS...An upper level ridge will continue to build over the
area through the weekend. The hottest temperatures at this point of
the year are expected. Cooler conditions at the coast expected to
start Monday while the interior is not expected to cool until
Tuesday. Cooler and unsettled weather by mid week.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH MONDAY/...Another morning of clear skies
today over W WA with temperatures already in the mid to upper 60s in
many spots with Sea-Tac and Bremerton already popping above 70.
Temps still expected to quickly climb throughout the day as the
upper level ridge continues to build over the area before hitting
their peak in the mid to upper 80s this afternoon. It would not be
surprising if a few locations manage to climb into the low 90s,
particularly south of Chehalis, but this is not expected to be
widespread today. A north wind will help keep areas directly near
the interior waters slightly cooler, but only by a few degrees.
The ridge will continue to build Sunday with highs in the upper 80s
to low 90s for much of the lowlands. Winds over the interior waters
will be calmer during the afternoon hours, resulting in hot
conditions everywhere.
Relief comes to the coast before the remainder of the area starting
on monday as onshore flow picks up and knocks high temps down back
to more seasonal values. Highs there are expected to be in the mid
70s. However, heat will persist for the interior region with highs
once again in the upper 80s to low 90s.
All of that said, the inherited Heat Advisory looks to remain on
track for today and into Sunday/Monday, depending on location, and
see no reason for any alteration at this time. Remember, as
temperatures rapidly warm over the short term it is important to
keep in mind that many are not yet acclimated to the conditions, and
as a result may be more prone to heat related illnesses. It is
important to stay hydrated throughout the day and use proper sun
protection. Moreover, do not leave people or pets unattended in cars
as temperatures will be significantly higher. Check in on sensitive
populations such as the elderly and very young. If necessary, seek
out cooling locations.
For those who may be seeking relief in/near area waters remember
that the water is very cold and can cause hypothermia and shock to
set in very quickly. Additionally, with the rivers running fast it
those wading/swimming could easily be swept away.
Butwin/18
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...From Previous
Discussion...Relief from the heat and a return the wet unsettled
weather begins on Tuesday. For the most part highs are expected to
be in the low to mid 70s for the lowlands throughout the period. A
few disturbances moving through will likely bring some drizzle and
some scattered light rain to the region.
We will be watching for the potential for some isolated thunderstorms
late Monday/Early Tuesday as models are suggesting a good amount
of elevated instability. Right now it looks as if the North
Cascades are the most likely area to experience any
thunderstorms. There is still a great amount of uncertainty when
it comes to this portion of the forecast.
Butwin
&&
.AVIATION...Continued high pressure over the region will maintain
VFR conditions under predominantly clear skies through the period.
Breezy north/northeast surface winds increasing to 10 to 15 kt
today, easing tonight.
KSEA...VFR under clear skies through the period. Northerly wind 10-
15 kt through evening, before easing overnight. Cullen
&&
.MARINE...Offshore flow will prevail over the weekend as a thermal
trough builds north along the coast. The small craft advisory
remains in effect for Puget Sound and Hood Canal through this
evening with gusty north winds. Meanwhile, expect a surge of stratus
and southerly winds that will likely bring restricted visibility and
advisory strength winds to the inner portions of the coastal waters
late Monday. A strong onshore push will likely develop Monday night
as low pressure shifts east of the Cascades. Seas will predominantly
be 2 to 4 feet across the coastal waters with an increasing short-
period component as the winds become more persistently northerly.
Cullen
&&
.HYDROLOGY...The daily hydrology discussion has ended until the
start of the next rainy season; it will only be updated as needed
until then.
&&
.SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Heat Advisory until 11 PM PDT Monday for Bellevue and Vicinity-
Bremerton and Vicinity-East Puget Sound Lowlands-Everett
and Vicinity-Hood Canal Area-Lower Chehalis Valley Area-
Olympics-Seattle and Vicinity-Southwest Interior-Tacoma
Area-West Slopes North Cascades and Passes-West Slopes
North Central Cascades and Passes-West Slopes South Central
Cascades and Passes-Western Skagit County-Western Whatcom
County.
Heat Advisory until 11 PM PDT Sunday for Central Coast-North
Coast.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for Puget
Sound and Hood Canal.
&&
www.weather.gov/seattle2 heat. Local standard time, as filed.
A record high temperature of 92 degrees was set at the Hoquiam airport on Saturday, June 25. This broke the previous record of 82 degrees set in 2017.
A record high temperature of 93 degrees was set at the Hoquiam airport on Sunday, June 26. This broke the previous record of 87 degrees set in 2021.
A record high temperature of 87 degrees was set at the Quillayute airport on Saturday June 25. This broke the previous record of 86 degrees set in 2017.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Washington in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Washington, June 2022
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1042201, 1042215.