The most intense heat of the summer arrives this week when parts of Los Angeles will be under extreme heat warnings and other areas will face severe fire conditions. What authorities described as a severe heat event with days of temperatures in the upper 90s and well into the 100s will begin Wednesday and continue through the weekend.

As a result, the NWS has issued a heat advisory that lasts from 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. The advisory, which affects portions of northwest and west central Washington, warns that these conditions will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illness for people who are sensitive to heat.

Bay Area residents are warned of rising temperatures due to a high-pressure system, with inland areas potentially hitting over 100°F.

The Willamette Valley, southwest Washington, and Columbia River Gorge are all included in the watch. The hottest temperatures are forecast south of Salem and portions of the Columbia River Gorge.

From Friday to next Sunday, temperatures will increase again to triple-digit levels in the inland valleys and 80s in the coastal valleys. Most beaches will stay in the 60s, though south-facing spots like Cayucos Avila Beach, and Shell Beach could warm into the mid- to high 70s.

Bellingham last saw a high above 90 degrees on July 29, 2022, according to National Weather Service records. A similar heat dome in June 2021 brought three straight days of temperatures in the upper 90s and was blamed for the death of one woman.

The NWS issued an extreme heat warning for Portland with temperatures up to 103°F, advising caution against heat-related illnesses.

A wave of potentially record-breaking heat is making its way into the Portland-Vancouver metro area starting Friday, and forecasts show that temps are expected to stay hot through the weekend.