The heat is back: Seattle to see hot, possibly record-breaking temps this week

Get ready for another hot week, Seattle. While Monday morning brought overcast skies, weather experts say they won’t last.

Temperatures this week will warm up gradually, starting in the low- to mid-80s on Monday and Tuesday, according to Dana Felton, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Seattle office.

The Puget Sound region could hit 90 degrees by Wednesday, increasing bit by bit Thursday and Friday. Temperatures could potentially break a hot-weather record near the end of the week, Felton said.

While the average high for this time of year is about 79 degrees, Felton said, the record high for Aug. 13 is 92 degrees set in 2002.

This Friday, “We’ve got a good chance to break that one,” he said.

Much of Western Washington will likely stay warm this week, with even the coast reaching the high 80s to low 90s on Thursday and Friday, Felton said.

Any smoke in the Seattle area in the next few days is expected to remain “upper-level haze,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Maddie Kristell.

Nothing suggests smoke will affect air quality this week, she said.

While Felton noted this heat spell “won’t be as hot as the June round,” he cautioned people to take similar precautions.

“We’ve been through this drill before,” he said. “Try not to be outside during the worst of the heat, stay hydrated and have some way to keep cool.”

Temperatures will likely plateau and start to drop on the weekend and are expected to return to normal by next week.

Until then, Felton said, expect sunny days and clear nights.