Extremely hot weekend anticipated in Inland Northwest

This weekend is a busy one in the region, with Hoopfest in Spokane and Ironman in Coeur d’Alene. Both events will bring lots of excitement, but the weather is looking very hot.

High temperatures this weekend are expected to be around 100 degrees in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The normal is 76 degrees. For Saturday, the record at the airport is 98, set in 1925. Based on data early this week, there is a good chance of breaking that record. In Coeur d’Alene, the record for that date is 96, set in 2006. Readings are forecast to be above 100 on Sunday. That would smash the record of 96 degrees set in 1896, and Coeur d’Alene’s record 94 set in 1925. More record heat is expected early next week with highs expected above 100 degrees.

The weather this weekend will likely make this the hottest Hoopfest and Ironman on record. Hoopfest began in 1990 and is held during the last weekend in June. The hottest Hoopfest was in 2008, with the high reaching 90 on June 28 and 96 on June 29. The coolest and wettest Hoopfest weekend was in 1991, with highs of 65 and 69, and 0.44 of an inch of rain. The coldest Hoopfest morning was June 25, 2011, at 35 degrees.

 Since Ironman Coeur d’Alene started in 2003, the temperature has only climbed above 80 twice. The first year it was 87. In 2006, it reached the mid-80s near downtown and low 90s in outlying areas. The coolest morning start was 46 degrees on June 23, 2013. In 2009, on June 21, the high was only 58 degrees with 0.13 of an inch of rain.

If you’re planning to participate or watch either of these events, make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen. Prolonged exposure to the sun without water can lead to heatstroke, the most serious heat injury. It can cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. It can even kill.

Some symptoms of heatstroke include a throbbing headache, dizziness, lack of sweating, dry skin, muscle cramps, nausea, rapid heartbeat, shallow or rapid breathing, disorientation and unconsciousness.

Be careful if you’re going to be outside this weekend.