Hot weather is in store for Whatcom County this weekend, but it's not expected to break any records, according to the National Weather Service.

The forecasted high for Bellingham is 82 degrees Saturday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 5. That's still a few degrees below the record high of 89 for Aug. 4 and 84 for Aug. 5, said NWS meteorologist Johnny Burg.

Whatcom County is avoiding the weekend's hottest temperatures, brought on as air flows in from the east. In Seattle and areas south of the city, the forecast calls for highs in the low 90s.

But if it's not record-breaking in Bellingham, it's still going to be one of the hottest weekend this summer here. Burg advised people heading out into the sun to drink plenty of fluids - beer not included - and slather on the sunscreen. Anyone hanging out by the water also should take the usual safety precautions, he said.

With Seafair in Seattle, Pride weekend in Vancouver, B.C., and a Monday holiday in Canada, a good portion of this hot weekend might be spent in the car, as the roads are likely to be busy around the border and heading south. Check traffic by calling 511 or going to wsdot.wa.gov/traffic.

Some relief from the heat will come at night, when lows are forecasted in the mid-50s. By Monday, cooler air will begin coming in from the ocean, and the high is expected to be 74 degrees during the day.

Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803.