Health experts are warning seniors and families with young children living in the Pacific Northwest to be careful in the next few days — the coming heatwave could be dangerous.
Children splashed about as adults dipped their toes in Portland fountains seeking relief from a heat wave that’s baking a region famous for cool weather.
In normally temperate Oregon and Washington, warm days mean drawing shades and running fans. But a searing high-pressure system was making Portland and Seattle sizzle and leading residents to hunt for relief.
It’s estimated that only one in three people living in the area own air conditioning units.
Portland hit 100 degrees on Wednesday and Seattle hit 90.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for western Washington and Oregon and said the highs in Seattle on Thursday could hit 95 while Portland could reach 105.
The Associated Press contributed to this article