The hottest days of the year in Seattle are descending upon us this week.
Historically, Seattle summers don’t get uncomfortably warm—and that’s the way we like it. According to a nationwide survey, only about 30 percent of Washington state residents had central air in their homes in 2021 (and a quarter used individual AC units). Compare that to the nationwide average of 67 percent.
If you’re one of the many Seattleites without air conditioning, you’ll want to prepare yourself for this week’s increase in temperature.
🔥HOTTEST DAYS OF THE YEAR EXPECTED NEXT WEEK🔥
Temperatures will likely top 90 degrees on several occasions next week—probably from Tues-Thurs.
Could even exceed 95° in Seattle proper—but fortunately, 100° looks to be off the table. Still hot regardless.
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) July 20, 2022
Seattle is expected to see temperatures of over 90 degrees during the last week of July. Tuesday through Thursday will most likely be the hottest days.
Here are some tips for staying cool without air conditioning, according to CNN:
- Stay hydrated. This is the most important thing to remember; and be sure to eat throughout the day as well.
- Use fans. A box fan facing out of the window is a good way to pull out hot air and replace it with cooler air.
- Make use of cool water. You can take a cool shower or bath, place cold washcloths or ice packs on your wrist and neck, or go for a dip at one of Seattle’s public pools, lakes, or beaches. One important caveat is to be cautious of extremely cold bodies of water in Washington state, no matter how hot out it is. Summer drownings happen when swimmers are unprepared for the extreme cold in Puget Sound and Washington lakes.
- Close your curtains or blinds. If you have blackout curtains, that is an ideal way to keep out the heat.
- Sleep on a lower level. Heat rises, so if you have a basement, that would be the ideal place to sleep next week.
- Be strategic about cooking. Either cook in the morning before it gets too hot, or keep your cooking in a slow cooker or outside on a grill.
- Visit a local cooling center. You can find information on Seattle cooling centers here.
You’ll also want to remember to avoid outdoor activities from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and always avoid leaving children and pets in the car.
Finally, cool down with some frozen treats. These are our favorite places to get an ice cream sandwich in Seattle and this soft serve summer pop-up will be open over the weekend.
The hottest days of the year in Seattle can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, but with a little advance planning and good sense Seattleites can stay safe and happy this summer.