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Get ready, Seattle. Summer 2024 is going to be hot

Posted on by angelo

Western Washington is bracing for potentially record-breaking heat during the first weekend of July, with high temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees on Sunday.

While the high temperatures may be good news for beachgoers, they also pose dangers for swimmers, not to mention those who work outdoors.

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With the heat wave approaching, King County officials are urging everyone to take precautions when swimming in open water. Over the past five years, the county has seen more drownings than in the past, about 30 people each year.

The air will be warm this weekend, but many lakes and rivers will still be dangerously cold, and even strong swimmers can go into shock and faint, so officials recommend wearing a life jacket when going into open water.

They also recommend not using drugs or alcohol before swimming. Seventy percent of drowning deaths in the county involve drugs or alcohol.

Their other advice is to closely supervise children and be especially careful near rivers, which are cold and strong at this time of year.

Washington State Rules for Hot Weather and Outdoor Workers

Washington state’s new rules for outdoor workers, including those who work in construction, on farms or in food trucks, are set to go into effect when the heat wave hits Friday. The state updated its heat protection rules in 2023 and made them applicable year-round. When temperatures reach 80 degrees, employers must provide cool drinking water and shade for breaks.

This weekend, temperatures will reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit across much of Western Washington, so the rules will be tightened. Employers will also be required to give workers 10 minutes of paid rest every two hours.

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East of the Cascades, highs will exceed 100 degrees next week. At that temperature, employers must give outdoor workers 15 minutes of paid rest every hour.

Workers should also be monitored for symptoms of heat exhaustion:

  • Cold and clammy skin,
  • Headache or nausea,
  • Or cramps.

Workers suffering from heat exhaustion should rest and drink water.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Signs include:

  • Hot, red skin without sweat,
  • A fast and strong pulse,
  • And I faint.