Heat Wave

Since 1881, when the National Weather Service began observing temperatures in Spokane, the mercury has topped 100 degrees five times in June. If the forecast holds, Spokane will double that number by Wednesday.

News > Pacific NW

Pacific Northwest braces for another multiday heat wave

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 11, 2021

People in the Pacific Northwest braced for another major, multiday heat wave starting Wednesday, just over a month after record-shattering hot weather killed hundreds of the region's most vulnerable people when temperatures soared to 116 degrees Fahrenheit.

News > Idaho

Heat ri$es: How June’s heat wave has affected utility bills for Inland Northwest customers

Sun., Aug. 1, 2021

Historically high temperatures have Inland Northwest residents feeling the heat through their wallets.

News

Why heat can be so dangerous

Sun., July 18, 2021

Heat has killed more people than any other weather-related event in the last 30 years in the United States.

News > Washington

After 20 heat-related deaths, some say Spokane region needs better planning for future heat waves

Sun., July 18, 2021

As summer heat began to blanket Spokane, it was more than meals that city of Spokane Meals on Wheels volunteers were delivering to clients.

News

Spokane reopens cooling center location Sunday due to heat warning

UPDATED: Sat., July 17, 2021

With temperatures expected to stay in the mid- to upper 90s Sunday, the city of Spokane promised 1,000 spots at the Looff Carrousel cooling center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

News > Washington

Heat wave sparked numerous rescues of eaglets that jumped from nests to flee record temperatures

UPDATED: Sat., July 17, 2021

On a day of record heat late last month, an eaglet, still unable to fly, fled its nest high up in a ponderosa pine and fell into Eric Horsted and Michael Perry’s backyard in Millwood.

News > Washington

Avista says during customer town hall that it’s ‘committed to learn’ after controversial planned power outages

UPDATED: Thu., July 15, 2021

After planned outages to conserve power during Spokane’s historic heat wave last month, Avista executives said in a telephone town hall Thursday night that they’re “committed to learn from this event and to getting better.”

News > Idaho

VIDEO: Black bear escapes heat in Idaho man’s kiddie pool

UPDATED: Wed., July 7, 2021

When Greg Massey, a physical education teacher in Priest River, Idaho, put out a kiddie pool in his yard, he expected it to attract elk, deer or the occasional moose.

News > Idaho

Some Washington utilities saw all-time usage highs in the historic heat, and a state commission is investigating their preparedness after planned outages

Sat., July 3, 2021

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will investigate how utility companies prepared and responded amid record-setting heat statewide earlier this week that led to all-time usage highs and planned outages for some of them.

News > Crime/Public Safety

At least 3 confirmed dead of heat exposure, could increase to 11 after days of record-breaking highs, Spokane medical examiner says

UPDATED: Sat., July 3, 2021

The Spokane County medical examiner confirmed three heat-related deaths Friday and updated the number of possible heat deaths to 11, outlining the tragic consequences of this week’s historic heat wave.

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Beating the heat wave at Pine River Park
Sun., July 11, 2021