Well, the first part of the summer was kind of a dud in the weather department – especially if comparing it to last summer which featured seemingly non-stop sunshine – but summer is back. With it comes hot weather and a couple of weather warnings from the National Weather Service.
First: the Heat and an Excessive Heat Warning that runs from Thursday, August 18 at 2PM through Saturday, August 20th at 9PM. Weather forecasters have been talking all week about the impending hot weekend, but in the past day the heat forecast increased to the low to mid 90’s for Friday and Saturday.
It cools down some on Sunday – and then remains sunny and warm all week-long – great news for golf fans as the annual Boeing Classic week kicks off in Snoqualmie on Monday, August 22nd.
According to KOMO News weather forecasters, there’s no rain in the long-range forecasts until possibly August 31st.
Second: Red Flag Warning is in place Thursday, August 18th for the Valley. Low humidity, hot weather and some wind forecast for Thursday and into Friday are combining to create critical fire conditions. Thursday night the wind is predicted to switch from a northeast direction to the east and be in the 15 to 25MPH range on “exposed Ridges.” After the Red Flag warning ends, a Fire Watch continues until Friday night.
In a nutshell: keep the water bottle and sunscreen handy if you’re out and about, possibly enjoying Railroad Days.
Don’t burn anything – remember there’s also a summer burn ban in effect. Yesterday there were two pretty big brush fires along I-5 that caused big traffic headaches. Thursday morning Washington State Patrol said they’d already had three small brush fires before 6:30AM – and are urging drivers to keep cigarettes inside of cars.
Lastly, be careful if you head to the river or lake….. and don’t be too proud to sit in the blowup kiddie pool.
Places to Cool Off in North Bend, Snoqualmie
Mount Si Senior Center (for Seniors 55+)
411 Main Ave South in North Bend
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Water is available. Lunch is served Mon. – Fri. at noon. The price is $3 for ages 60+.
More information: 425-888-3434
North Bend Library
115 E. 4th Street in North Bend
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Sun. 1 – 5 p.m.
Water and snacks are allowed.
More information: 425-888-0554
Snoqualmie Library
7824 Center Blvd. SE, Snoqualmie
Ph: 425-888-1223
Hours: M-Th 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Water and snacks are allowed.
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Lobby
9801 Frontier Ave SE, Snoqualmie
Ph: 425-831-2300
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Large comfortable lobby with Wi-Fi and a public café.
Snoqualmie Valley YMCA Lobby
35018 SE Ridge Street, Snoqualmie | Ph: 425-256-3115
Hours: M-F 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.