SEATTLE – It was another record-breaker Sunday, as the temperature at Sea-Tac airport reached 95 degrees, beating the old record of 92 degrees. Olympia hit a record 97 degrees and as of 5 p.m. Shelton was a sizzling 99 degrees.
People did what they could to stay cool. The cars were lined up at the gate to Spanaway Park.
"It's hot," said Andrea Bergstrom who brought her daughter to play in the water. Bergstrom says she enjoys these summer days better than winter."I miss the hot."
Her daughter, Jillian Hightower, spent most of the day in the cool lake.
"It's kind of cold, which actually feels really good now because it's really hot now," she said.
Kenna Mallory packed up her family and packed up the ice chest. She came to Spanaway Park to enjoy the shade and cool water.
"You have to take advantage of anything you can. The shade. The trees," she said.
Ice Cream man Doug Tap came to the park to spend some quiet time with his family. His ice cream truck ended up catching the eye of customers who wanted some cold treats to beat the heat.
"Oh man, very popular. We have been here an hour. We have made over $100," he said.
Another popular place was the cooling stations set up across Western Washington. One was the Ice Rink at Sprinker Community Center in Spanaway.
The VCA Pacific Avenue Animal Hospital in Tacoma opened its doors as a cooling center for pets. Dr. Joseph Richter has seen heatstroke in animals.
"These pets who are outside getting exposed with their owners in the sun can certainly become overheated," he said.
One sign of heatstroke is when playful dogs become lethargic or when they have excessive panting.
Chuck Porret brought his Great Dane to the clinic for a check-up. He said 4-year-old Blue has been surviving the heat by drinking plenty of water and by hanging out in the shade. Porret says he is now considering adding air conditioning to his house.
"I am thinking of getting central air for all the pets, the cats and dog, for us as well," he said.
Heat continues
An excessive heat warning has been issued through Monday night for temperatures in the upper 80s to upper 90s. The warning means dangerously high temperatures are likely, posing a risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
"Another warm day, we're right in the middle of it and we still have another day to go," said KING 5 Meteorologist Jim Guy.
Temperatures the next couple nights will also remain warm across the greater Puget Sound region. Low temperatures will only fall into the low 60s to low 70s.
The National Weather Service recommends drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun and checking on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly.
Cooling centers open
Pierce County has released a list of cooling center locations in Pierce County. People are invited to stop by these locations to cool off from the extreme heat.
Auburn City Hall located at 25 West Main St. and the Auburn Senior Activity Center, located at 808 Ninth St. SE, will be available as cooling centers through Monday evening.
In Arlington, Cascade Valley Hospital Café will be open from 12pm - 6pm throughout the weekend and on Monday. The Café is located on the 2nd floor of the hospital and will have free ice water available. Cascade Valley Hospital is located at 330 S. Stillaguamish. Olympic Place Retirement & Senior Living Community will also be open throughout the weekend and on Monday as a cooling station. Olympic Place is located at 20909 Olympic Place.
Other public places such as libraries, movie theaters and stores are also good places to beat the heat.
We'll see a coo down beginning on Tuesday as a push of cooler marine air comes in. A milder air mass will start to erode the ridge of high pressure and replace the hot with a much more comfortable situation by mid-week.
Sizzling in SW Washington
Sunday was also a scorcher for much of Oregon and southwest Washington. In addition, a red flag warning for lightning and high fire danger is in effect for southwest Oregon.
Thunderstorms and lightning strikes can be expected in that area, which has a lot of dry fuel in its forests.
A heat advisory is in effect through Monday night for temperatures in the upper 90s for Portland and Vancouver, Wash., and nearby areas.
