Bellingham breaks this hot-temperature record Sunday
Bellingham’s June high-temperature record lasted one day. The city hit 95 degrees, with a heat index of 101, by 4 p.m. Sunday, June 27.
Bellingham first topped the 66-year-old record high for the month of June (93 degrees set June 9, 1955) just before 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at 94 degrees with a heat index of 99.
So far, the nearly 12-year-old record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Bellingham, which is 96 degrees on July 29, 2009, still stands.
Readings at Abbotsford International Airport used for northern Whatcom County hit 104 degrees, with a heat index of 110, by 4 p.m. Sunday.
Much of western Washington will suffer dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures in the 100s to up to 115 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
The excessive heat warning was extended through 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, in the Sunday afternoon weather briefing. The low Sunday night was 66 degrees in Bellingham.
The unprecedented heat with record high temperatures will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities and for the elderly and those without air conditioning.
The hottest temperature recorded in Washington state was 118 degrees on Aug. 5, 1961, at Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River, about 12 miles east of Pasco, according to the weather service.
Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham closed its restaurant Sunday due to the excessive heat warning. “While operating in a historic building has its charms, you can imagine how hot it gets on warmer summer days — especially in our uniquely small kitchen,” it posted on Facebook. It continued to offer pizza, salads and drink service 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the beer garden.
Mambo Italiano also posted that it will close Sunday and Monday, saying “we are unequipped for this type of weather in our restaurant.”
Kendra Cook, founder of the non-profit Keeping K-9s in Kevlar, is promoting an effort to help keep first responders, delivery drivers and postal and recycling and garbage collection workers cool.
“Place an ice chest on your front porch or end of driveway, fill it with ice and beverages, and place a sign to give permission” to take a cool beverage, she wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald. “To notify postal workers, leave a note in your mailbox stating where the ice chest is located. Tape a sign on your garbage can for Sanitary Service Company workers to be alerted during a pick-up.”
To notify first responders, contact keepingK9sinKevlar@gmail.com with “beat the heat” in the subject line and your address will be placed on a distributed list to district fire and law enforcement, she said.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries has seen more requests for assistance at Base Camp during the weekend’s extreme heatwave, according to Executive Director Hans Erchinger-Davis.
“We’ve served meals to about 10% more people as they seek more comfortable shelter during the day in the air-conditioned Base Camp,” Erchinger-Davis said Sunday.
“We also were contacted Saturday by an outside agency about a woman with pets stranded in a broken-down RV. Our staff picked her up, brought her and two of her pets back to Base Camp and arranged with the Whatcom Humane Society to care for a third pet, ensuring that none of them were left in a dangerous situation due to the high temperature.”
About 300 customers lost power Sunday afternoon north of Lynden, according to the Puget Sound Energy outage website.
To stay cool and safe, the National Weather Service advises:
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles.
“In the mountains, significant hazards are possible on and near snow fields and glaciers where extra caution is advised.
“On the lakes and waterways, an increase in water-related accidents with cold water shock and drownings can be prevented by wearing your life-jacket and keeping extra flotation devices with you when you are out on the water.
“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Consider canceling outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours--the hottest part of the day.
“Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.”
For Whatcom County residents looking for public air-conditioned buildings, Bellingham officials shared these options:
▪ The Bellingham High School cafeteria at 2020 Cornwall Ave. will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Monday, offering air-conditioned indoor space and water.
▪ Whatcom Transportation Authority buildings: The downtown Bellingham station will have air conditioning, bottled water and indoor water fountains. The bottled water is available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday.
At the Cordata station, bottled water is available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday.
The bus is fare-free until Thursday, July 1, and can be used to reach cooling stations and other community resources.
▪ Libraries: The Bellingham Public Library at 210 Central Ave. does not have air conditioning, but will be offering water 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.
Air-conditioned indoor spaces are available at all Whatcom County Library system location locations during open hours. In addition, bottled water will be available at the branches in Deming, North Fork (Kendall), Sumas, Everson and Lynden during open hours through Monday. See locations and hours at wcls.org/info.
▪ In addition to local government efforts, Lighthouse Mission Ministries will have water, sunscreen, covered outdoor areas and air-conditioned indoor areas available to anyone at its Base Camp shelter, 1530 Cornwall Ave.
The Lynden Chamber of Commerce posted on Facebook that the Lynden Community Senior Center is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. t0 7 p.m. Monday with the air conditioning on.
This story was originally published June 27, 2021 at 10:08 AM.
