This Mother’s Day weekend is shaping up to be one of the warmest on record, with temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Southwest Washington from 2 p.m. today through 8 p.m. Monday, citing “unreasonably warm to hot conditions” which will have daily lows in the mid-50s and highs in the low 90s.
As of Friday afternoon, forecasters expect a high of 91 degrees on Saturday, 90 degrees on Sunday and 89 degrees on Monday, with temperatures expected to remain in the high 80s through Thursday.
The maximum temperatures recorded on May 12 and 13 in Vancouver are 91 and 94 degrees, so this likely won’t break any temperature records, said David Bishop, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland. However, the nights will be unusually warm, which might lead to some record high overnight lows.
“Saturday night going into Sunday, we’re forecasting a low of 64 where the record for that time, I believe, is 58,” Bishop said. “And then Sunday going into Monday, that record warm low is 57, and we’ve got 64 currently forecasted.”
The National Weather Service advises residents to drink plenty of fluids, seek air-conditioned locations if possible and to minimize direct sun exposure during peak heat hours.
Clark County Public Health is reminding people to be cautious with swimming in nearby lakes and rivers.
“Even as temperatures rise, lakes and rivers are still cold enough to shock and immobilize even the strongest swimmers,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director, in a press release.
As of Friday morning, the Washougal River was a chilling 53 degrees.
The agency asks potential swimmers to avoid fast-flowing water, not swim alone, avoid mixing alcohol or drugs with swimming or boating and to swim in designated swim zones.
By law, children 12 years and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or vest on all vessels 18 feet or smaller.
