It wasn’t your imagination. Tuesday’s heat broke Olympia’s record for hottest Aug. 15
Olympia’s record for hottest Aug. 15 was broken Tuesday, as temperatures soared to 100 degrees for the first time on that date.
The previous record was set in 1942, where the recorded high was 99 degrees, said Karin Bumbaco, an assistant state climatologist at the Washington State Climatologist’s office.
Wednesday’s high reached 94, far short of the record of 99 degrees.
The heat wave has led to dry and unstable conditions across much of the region this week. The National Weather Service issued red-flag warnings for fire weather around the state on Monday and Tuesday, and issued another excessive heat warning until 11 p.m. Wednesday.
While the temperatures have been much warmer than normal — Olympia has averaged at about 78 degrees for a high this time of year over the past three decades — Bumbaco said heat waves in mid-August aren’t atypical.
“Once we get into late August, I would be more surprised to see triple digits,” she said. “The probability of seeing triple digits goes down significantly in the fall.”
There is some relief in sight. The NWS projects Friday’s high will be just 77 degrees.
However, the National Weather Service warns of elevated to critical fire risk this weekend. Dry and windy conditions, alongside low humidity, are expected to impact much of central Puget Sound, including northern Thurston County.
Offshore eastern winds also may bring smoke and haze from wildfires to Western Washington, lowering air quality on Sunday and Monday, according to the NWS.
Heat risk will continue to affect those without access to adequate water or cooling. Temperatures in Thurston County are expected to reach the high 80s or low 90s on Sunday.
Things should cool to normal on Monday and throughout the week, with highs projected in the upper 70s and low 80s.
This story was originally published August 16, 2023 at 3:22 PM.
