The National Weather Service replaced its previously issued extreme heat watch with an extreme heat warning in many parts of Oregon, including Philomath and Benton County. The warning will run from noon Sunday until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Temperatures in the Philomath vicinity are predicted to reach a high of 100 on Sunday, 99 on Monday and 91 on Tuesday before cooling off into the 80s and 70s through the rest of the week. The overnight temperature Sunday is predicted to get down to 67.
In Philomath, organizers opted to cancel Sunday’s farmers’ market.
The NPS anticipates dangerously hot conditions in the greater Portland-Vancouver metro area, central and southern Willamette Valley, western and central Columbia River Gorge, the Corbett area and the Hood River Valley, and the foothills of the northern and central Oregon Cascades.
Temperature in these areas could get as high as 103 with overnight temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees.
Benton County maintains a webpage with a list of cooling centers to get out of the heat. Locally, Philomath Community Library serves as a daytime cooling center (closed Sunday but open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday).
Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events. The Oregon Health Authority published information online about preventing heat-related illness.
Oregon.gov advises the following:
- Hydrate consistently — don’t wait until you feel thirsty and limit sugary and alcoholic drinks.
- Dress in loose, light-colored, breathable clothing.
- Take lots of cold showers or seek out air-conditioned buildings or cooling shelters during the hottest part of the day.
- Keep windows closed during the day and open at night (unless wildfire smoke is present).
- Never leave pets or children in vehicles.
- Limit physical activity — even athletes should limit their activity during extreme heat.