Cody Miller, with the Salem Fire Department, waits in his truck near a digital sign tracking the day's temperatures during a heat wave, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan Howard / AP
‘Not fun’: Northwest heat wave builds, all-time records fall
By Sara Cline and Rebecca Boone/AP
Nathan Howard / AP
Cody Miller, with the Salem Fire Department, waits in his truck near a digital sign tracking the day's temperatures during a heat wave, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
(Portland, Ore.) — Oregon’s largest city broke its all-time heat record Saturday.
It could beat the new mark on Sunday.
Forecasters say many Pacific Northwest communities may sweat through the hottest days in their histories as temperatures soar during a heat wave that has sent residents scrambling for relief.
Stores sold out of portable air conditioners and fans, hospitals canceled outdoor vaccination clinics, cities opened cooling centers, baseball teams canceled or moved up weekend games and utilities braced for possible power outages.
Portland, Oregon, reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius) Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The previous heat record for Oregon’s largest city was 107 F (41.7 C), a mark hit in 1965 and 1981.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
