The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland has issued a fire weather watch which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. An upper level low pressure system will remain off of the California coast through early next week. The hot temperatures during the last week have dried out fuels to critical levels across the area. An unstable southeast to south flow aloft will bring the necessary ingredients into place for the development of scattered thunderstorms Sunday across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. The combination of lightning and critically dry fuels will result in an elevated risk for multiple ignitions. The highest potential for significant lightning producing thunderstorms will be Sunday and Monday afternoon and evenings. However, most days through midweek have some chance of getting thunderstorms. Any thunderstorms that do develop should be high based with little precipitation and a lot of lightning. Also, these type of storms are capable of producing gusty winds. Storms should progressively become more wet by mid week. A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. For the most up to date weather information from the NWS please visit http://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency’s (PCEMA) All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) siren system next scheduled monthly test will be Monday, August 3rd at noon. It is recommended that residents of Pacific County mark their calendars for the monthly AHAB siren system test. The test is currently scheduled for the first Monday of every month at noon. The current procedure for the monthly test is for the sirens to sound the Westminster Chimes for 10 seconds followed by a 15 second verbal message stating “The following is a test of the siren warning system. It is only a test. This is a test of the siren warning system. If this had been a real emergency you should tune your radio to your local radio station or listen to this system for further instructions. This was only a test.” In actual events, the AHAB sirens will sound a constant tone for three continuous minutes, and may be followed by a verbal message. Both the Westminster chimes and the actual warning tone can be heard by visiting the PCEMA website atwww.co.pacific.wa.us/pcema and clicking on the Tsunami tab. There are currently ten AHAB sirens installed along the Long Beach Peninsula located in the areas of Ilwaco, Seaview, Long Beach, Surfside, and Ocean Park. There is also an AHAB siren located in Bay Center. Sirens are not designed to be heard indoors and the sound may also be impacted by adverse weather. Residents are encouraged to have alternate methods of warning such as NOAA weather radios, which are tested weekly and can be heard indoors. Residents with questions or concerns may contact the PCEMA office at (360) 875-9340 or (360) 642-9340.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland has cancelled the excessive heat warning for the areas of the coast and the Willapa Hills. An increase in onshore flow has caused temperatures to fall this morning to levels about 10 degrees cooler than Wednesday morning across most of the coast range. The enhanced marine influence will help hold temperatures down somewhat today, with high temperatures in the area expected to be generally in the 80s and lower 90s. While these temperatures are still above normal they represent a significant drop from the triple digit heat of the past couple days. For the most up to date weather information from the NWS please visit http://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.

The National Weather Service (NWS) excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm PDT Thursday. Today is expected to be another hot day with temperatures in the 105 to 110 degree range for the lowland. The coast range and cascades will also be hot with temperatures reaching 95 to 105 degrees. The weather will be less hot on Thursday, however, maximum temperatures will still be near 100 degrees. In addition to the hot afternoons, little relief from the heat is expected overnight. With little to no cooling influence from the ocean and a somewhat humid air mass in place, nights will remain quite uncomfortable away from the coast.Precautionary/Preparedness actions: An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. For the most up to date weather information from the NWS please visithttp://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.

From the National Weather Service: A heat advisory now in effect until 8 pm PDT Saturday... Warm weather will continue through Independence Day with valley temperatures reaching the mid 90s. Temperatures in the coast range and cascade foothills will also be quite warm with readings in the mid 80s to lower 90s. At risk populations can be especially vulnerable to heat related illnesses during episodes of hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids and try to stay of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Precautionary/preparedness actions... A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.