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High temperatures now on the decline

Coming on the heels of two days of heat, lightning and an increased chance of fire are expected this weekend across Western Washington.

STACIA GLENN; Staff writer
Published: Aug. 18, 2012 at 12:05 a.m. PDT — Updated: Aug. 18, 2012 at 7:43 a.m. PDT
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Coming on the heels of two days of heat, lightning and an increased chance of fire are expected this weekend across Western Washington.

Scattered thunderstorms were forecast through tonight, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a fire watch that extends through Sunday morning.

Forecasters said lightning could spark more wildfires because of dry grass after 29 days without rain.

Firefighters were struggling to contain the Taylor Bridge Fire, which has scorched 35 square miles near Cle Elum and was about one-third contained Friday. In Pierce County, several small brush fires kept fire agencies busy as temperatures rose into the 90s and the humidity level dropped.

Friday wasn’t as hot as predicted – the high was 92 at Sea-Tac Airport. That was two degrees lower than initially forecast and two degrees lower than Thursday’s high of 94.

An excessive heat warning was canceled midday Friday when temperatures stopped rising. It was downgraded to a heat advisory, which expired Friday night.

Thunder and lightning are expected today, and the high will be 79. Sunday is expected to be a touch cooler at 74.

stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8653

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Nic LeDoux, 11, cools off in the sweltering heat after running water bottles to players during football practice at River Ridge High School in Lacey. (TONY OVERMAN/Staff photographer)
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