Heat, air stagnation in forecast across state

Little immediate relief is in sight from the excessive heat that spread across the state over the weekend, the National Weather Service said Sunday, as record-high temperatures were recorded in a number of locations.

The weather service issued an excessive-heat watch to be in effect from noon until 9 p.m. today in the Puget Sound area and the southwest interior of the state. A heat advisory also is in effect for Southwest Washington today and Tuesday, with afternoon temperatures expected above 100 degrees.

In addition, an air-stagnation advisory remained in effect through Tuesday afternoon, as heat and high pressure, combined with little air movement, trap pollutants near the ground.

Record high temperatures as of 5 p.m. Sunday included 88 degrees in Seattle, breaking the old record of 87 set in 1992. Olympia hit 90 degrees; the old record was 89 in 2002. Quillayute, Clallam County, hit 92, breaking the 2000 record of 81.

Temperatures in many places were expected to climb again into the 90s today. Cooler marine air is expected to begin trickling back into Western Washington on Tuesday.