'Hottest temperatures of the summer': Willamette Valley to see string of triple-digit days

Abigail Landwehr, Salem Statesman Journal
Updated ·9 min read
21
Jacob Speidel of Sandy jumps off a ledge into Scotts Mills Falls on July 23 in Scotts Mills.
Jacob Speidel of Sandy jumps off a ledge into Scotts Mills Falls on July 23 in Scotts Mills.

A string of scorching hot days with triple-digit temperatures are set to hit the Willamette Valley starting Sunday.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures could fall between 95 and 105 degrees beginning Sunday and continuing through at least Wednesday. If cloud cover doesn’t make it to the region by mid-week, those temperatures could continue into Thursday or Friday.

'Hottest temperatures of the summer' in Oregon

The Willamette Valley, lower Columbia River valley, Columbia River Gorge and Cascade valleys all fall under the major heat risk.

“The hottest temperatures of the summer are more likely than not next week,” Colby Newman of the National Weather Service in Portland said. “Last summer we had one of our longest hot spells on record in the end of July of last year. And there is potential for something similar where it goes on for five or six days.”

Moisture coming up from the south could cool down the heat streak. If cloud cover does make it far enough north, the chance of high temperatures would drop.

For most areas in the Willamette Valley, including Salem and Eugene, there’s an 80% chance on Monday temperatures could reach somewhere between 97 and 108. On Tuesday, there's an 80% chance of temperatures falling between 92 and 109.

Mid-August is often when the odds of reach over 100 degree temperatures starts to drop off. The rest of the month and the start of September could still see continued hot and dry conditions, but not as drastic.

How Oregonians can prepare for high temperatures

People are encouraged to prepare for the high temperatures. A few heat safety tips from the National Weather Service Portland include:

  • Drinking plenty of water.

  • Spending time in air-conditioned places.

  • Wearing light-colored and loose clothing.

  • Limiting any tiring outdoor activities.

  • Do not leave a child or pet in a locked vehicle.

  • Checking on others throughout the heat wave.

Forecast updates from the National Weather Service can be found on the agency’s website.

Where to go in the Salem area to cool off

Ahead of the heat wave, Salem issued a burn ban until further notice. All outdoor burning, including ceremonial and recreational fires, will be prohibited within city limits.

City officials said the ban is based on weather conditions and community safety and will be re-evaluated once temperatures begin to decrease. Cooking with propane grills is allowed during the ban.

City officials said cooling shelters will be open in Salem and the surrounding area including:

  • Salem Kroc, noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 1865 Bill Frey Drive NE, Salem, 503-566-5762.

  • ARCHES Day Center, noon to 7 p.m., 615 Commercial St. NE, Salem, 503-399-9080.

  • Union Gospel Mission, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., 885 Commercial St. NE, Salem, 503-967-6388.

  • Inside Out Refuge, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., 910 Front St. NE, Salem, 503-399-8698.

  • Recovery Outreach Community Center (ROCC), 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 2555 Silverton Road NE, Salem, 503-393-4273.

  • Santiam Outreach Community Center (SOCC), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 280 NE Santiam Blvd., Mill City, 971-332-5676.

  • Polk County ROCC, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 945 SE Uglow Ave., Dallas, 503-837-1762.

As always, the Salem Public Library and Center 50+ are available during business hours for residents needing a safe place to cool off.

Ashley Hamilton, chief program officer for the ARCHES Project, said they are planning a heatwave response that includes Day Center services open throughout the duration of the weather event, outreach teams going out into the community to distribute hydration and cooling items and helping those who are particularly vulnerable to the heat, like those over 65, the chronically ill and children.

"These teams will also be able to call in emergency personnel if they come across someone experiencing a medical emergency, which is more likely the longer the heatwave goes on," Hamilton said. "For those interested, outreach teams will be able to transport to the ARCHES Day Center for cooling services."

She said the long stretch of hot weather can seriously impact those without shelter, many of whom are not able to stay hydrated, are medically fragile, older and not able to easily cool off.

"For this weather event, we are deploying everything we have to help keep our unhoused neighbors safe during this vulnerable time," she said.

ARCHES is accepting donations for water, Gatorade, Powerade, prepackaged snacks, and cooling rags at the Tanner Project on 2933 Center St. NE. Donations can be dropped off at any time between now and Aug. 18.

Hamilton highlighted some outreach efforts, including:

  • Fuerza Campesina: From Monday to Friday with farmworker outreach to Marion and Polk county agricultural sites and the distribution of cooling items (water, Gatorade, cooling rags, hats, sunscreen), as well as transportation to cooling centers.

  • ARCHES Day Center: Open Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Tuesday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. When open, meals, showers and laundry are accessible.

  • General Outreach will take place Sunday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and focus on high-density encampments through Marion and Polk counties, moving to lower-density places as time allows. It will include the distribution of cooling items (water, Gatorade, cooling rages, hats, sunscreen), as well as transportation to cooling centers.

  • Youth Drop-In Center at its new location at 1255 Broadway St. NE will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. and will include the distribution of cooling items (water, Gatorade, cooling rags, hats, sunscreen, popsicles) and meals.

Where to go to stay cool in Lane County

With the high temperatures looming, people can find reprieves from the heat in cooling centers. If no cooling centers are nearby, Lane County recommends visiting a shopping center or a park with plenty of shade or water features.

For more information on excessive heat and staying cool in Lane County, go to lanecountyor.gov/cooling.

Eugene-area cooling centers and hours:

  • Oregon Department of Human Services, 2885 Chad Drive, Eugene: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • Oregon Department of Human Services, 2101 W 11 Ave., Eugene: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • Downtown Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., Eugene: Open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Bethel Branch Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene: Open Monday and Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 12 to 8 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.

  • Sheldon Branch Library, 1566 Coburg Road, Eugene: Open Monday and Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 12 to 8 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.

  • Eugene Family YMCA, 2055 Patterson St., Eugene: Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1250 W 18th Ave., Eugene: Open Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is closed Monday and Saturday.

  • First Baptist Church of Eugene, 3550 Fox Meadow Road, Eugene: Open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to noon. It is closed Saturday.

  • Nurturely Drop-In Hour + Feeding Support: Lactation Lounge, 56 E 15th Ave., Eugene: Open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Saint Vincent de Paul’s Eugene Service Station, 450 OR-99, Eugene: Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Looking Glass New Roads (intended for youth ages 16 to 24), 941 W Seventh Ave., Eugene: Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Looking Glass Station 7 (intended for youth ages 11 to 17), 931 W Seventh Ave., Eugene: Open daily, 24-hours.

Springfield-area cooling centers and hours:

  • Oregon Department of Human Services, 101 30th St., Springfield: Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • Springfield Public Library 225 Fifth St., Springfield (inside City Hall): Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.

  • Willamalane Bob Keefer Center, 250 S 32nd St., Springfield: Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

  • Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W C St., Springfield: Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other Lane County cooling centers and hours:

  • Cottage Grove Community Center, 700 E Gibbs Ave., Cottage Grove: Open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • Cottage Grove Library, 700 E Gibbs Ave., Cottage Grove: Open Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Cottage Grove Oregon Department of Human Services, 305 Coop Ct., Cottage Grove: Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • Fern Ridge Service Center, 25035 W Broadway Ave., Veneta: Open Monday-Friday noon to 8 p.m.

  • Florence Oregon Department of Human Services, 3180 US-101, Florence: Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • McKenzie Bridge Christian Church, 56334 McKenzie Hwy., McKenzie Bridge: Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It is closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Abigail Landwehr is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at alandwehr@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Where to stay cool in Salem, Eugene during 100-degree heat wave