Heat advisory expected as western Washington temperatures climb into the 90s

[00:00:00]Taking a live look all across our region right now. Mother nature is keeping busy.

[00:00:05]>> Parts of our state are suffering from poor air quality due to wildfire smoke and the rest is getting ready for high temps. And we're tracking the impact of the forecast for you all day here on KOMO. Meteorologist Ellis Sun's looking at the new law that may help people beat the heat.

[00:00:17]>> But we begin with chief meteorologist Shannon O'Donnell for a look at what's in store in the coming days.

[00:00:22]>> Hi there Molly and Steve. Yes, we are talking about the big three. The heat, the haze, and even a little bit of the humidity starting to take over here in western Washington within the next 48 hours. The heat top of mind.

[00:00:34]Temperatures the next couple of days will be well into the 90s through the urban core. Air quality starting to slip and it's not terribly windy, but the wind direction is going to be key in bringing some of that wildfire smoke back into the lowlands of western Washington, including in Watcom County.

[00:00:50]You can see in Lynen it's looking a little hazy there over the flower pots in the downtown corridor near the windmill. If we put the surface smoke forecast into motion, you'll see that where we already have a little bit of that low elevation smoke showing up, a little bit more is able to sneak on in right over the Cascades tomorrow morning and set up shop around parts of Watcom and Scadget counties. It's terribly thick there in parts of eastern Washington. And you can see that thick smoke swirling around back toward Moses Lake and Kulie City tomorrow as well. As such, an air quality alert in place for much of the state, but also for western Washington, Scadget, and Watcom counties. A heat advisory takes over starting tomorrow. That's when temperatures should be well into the 90s here throughout the lowlands of western Washington. As we head later into the week, we also have to worry about a chance for thunderstorms beneficial with the rain. Not so much with that worry lightning. We'll talk about that ahead in my next forecast.

[00:01:43]>> All right, Shannon, thanks. As we ride out this heat wave, there is a new state law that benefits renters who want to get portable cooling units. Come Stella Sun joins us live in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood with more details about these new rights that tenants now have. Stella, Molly, when the weather gets hot, that is something that is out of our control.

[00:02:03]And now under this new law, landlords cannot control whether their tenants choose to install portable or window-mounted air conditioning units like this one. But there are exceptions to the new law.

[00:02:19]>> In western Washington, >> someday it's hot, but it's still manageable for me.

[00:02:24]>> The summer heat has been somewhat tolerable.

[00:02:26]>> This one hasn't been bad yet.

[00:02:30]>> As the dog days of summer arrive, >> it's just going to keep getting warmer and warmer.

[00:02:34]>> Renters now have more rights when it comes to installing cooling units. It's probably not safe at, you know, at some point to just sit in a 95 degree apartment.

[00:02:44]>> The new state law just becoming effective last month means with few exceptions, landlords can no longer prohibit or restrict tenants from installing a portable or window-mounted air conditioning unit. Unless the cooling unit causes unreasonable damage to the property, the electrical supply needed cannot handle the existing power service to the unit or the building. It prevents the windows from locking, among others.

[00:03:12]>> I think people should do whatever they need to do to be comfortable.

[00:03:15]>> Now that tenants have more control keeping a comfortable temperature inside their home.

[00:03:20]>> It's going to get back into the '9s again. I fully anticipate we'll start selling more of both the portable units and the window mounted units.

[00:03:27]>> Stores like the Maple Leaf Ace Hardware are preparing for the next wave of customers to come in trying to cool off.

[00:03:34]>> That wave happening as it gets hotter, more going off the shelves. You're helping people out with them. You're helping them find parts >> as the region braces for the hot weather.

[00:03:42]>> Drink a lot of water. Um uh eat ice cream.

[00:03:50]And something tenants should be aware of under this new law. Tenants are responsible for any claim for damages, injuries, or death possibly caused by any portable air conditioning units.

[00:04:01]We're live here in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood. Stella Sun News.

[00:04:04]>> All right, Stella, thanks. That brings us to our KOMO pulse poll now. Scan the QR code on screen to participate. We're asking, how do you keep your home cool during northwest heat waves? And here's a live look at the results. More people are getting that AC. 69% say it's the air conditioning. 24% fans and 7% I sweat it out. Again, if you'd like to weigh in, scan the code that's on your screen. It'll take you directly to the story on komwe.com.

[00:04:29]And as the temperatures get hotter, make sure to download the KOMO News app.

[00:04:33]We'll send you breaking news alerts, weather updates, and traffic alerts all straight to your phone. It is free wherever you get your apps.

[00:04:40]>> Hot temps mean a lot of people are looking for ways to stay cool, especially with kids on summer break.

[00:04:45]Unfortunately, a few local beaches are not an option because of high levels of bacteria in the water. Signs are up warning people to stay out at Gene Koulan Beach in Reton, Hotton Beach in Kirkland, and Mount Baker Beach in Seattle. Exposure to bacteria in the water can cause skin rashes, nausea, or even diarrhea. In addition, the beach is being closed there because of bacteria.

[00:05:07]King County warns people also should stay out of the water at Lake Marcel in Carnation. It is dealing with a toxic algae bloom. We are in the th of wildfire season and there are several wildfires burning across our state right now. The Kaiser Canyon fire in Okanagan County has grown by around 10,000 acres since just yesterday. It's now burning more than 60,000 acres in the town of Nespum. Fire was started by a lightning strike on Thursday. It's 0% contained.

[00:05:33]13 homes have been destroyed. There are four fires all burning in the area where Witman Adams and Franklin counties converge. The largest of those is the Lion's Ferry fire, which is just under 35,000 acres and is 28% contained.

[00:05:46]>> In the north Sound, Bellingham's air is turning dangerous with wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada and pushing air quality forecast into the unhealthy range. This combination of hot weather and wildfire smoke is making it more dangerous just to be outside. Health experts say most people who die in heat waves are older and isolated.

[00:06:09]check on neighbors, friends, family members that may not have somebody checking checking on them and make sure that they're that they're okay.

[00:06:20]>> And if you need somewhere to cool off or get a break from the smoke, the Bellingham Public Library and the Port of Bellingham Ferry Terminal are opening their doors to anyone who needs it.