Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the National Weather Service's extension of the extreme heat warning until 11 p.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for several regions of the state, including the area that includes Philomath. The warning will run from 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, until 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Temperatures in the Philomath vicinity are predicted to reach a high of 100 degrees on Friday, 96 on Saturday, 94 on Sunday and Monday and 96 on Tuesday. After Aug. 26, the forecast (as of Thursday) shows highs of 90 on Aug. 27 before getting down into the 80s for the period of Aug. 28 through the end of next week.
Overnight temperatures for Friday through Tuesday are predicted to be in the low 60s.
The NWS predicts dangerously hot conditions in the greater Portland-Vancouver metro area, western and central Columbia River Gorge, the Corbett area and the Hood River Valley, central and southern Willamette Valley, foothills of the northern and central Oregon Cascades, and the lower Columbia River and Cowlitz River valleys.
Temperatures in these areas could get as high as 103 with overnight temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees, except in Columbia River Gorge with lows in the low to mid-70s.
Benton County maintains a webpage with a list of cooling centers to escape the heat. Locally, Philomath Community Library serves as a daytime cooling center (Friday and Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed on Sunday).
Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events. The NWS offers the following advice:
- Drink plenty of fluids, stay in a cool place during the heat of the day, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.
- For those without air conditioning, use fans to keep air moving. Keep windows closed during the day and open at night, unless air quality is degraded due to wildfire smoke.
- Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
- Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.