FILE--The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch from 11 a.m. Sunday through Monday evening for the Portland-Vancouver metro area, parts of the Columbia River Gorge, and east Clark County.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
People across much of western Oregon and Washington could see record-breaking temperatures during a multi-day heat wave starting Sunday.
An extreme heat warning remains in effect in the Portland metro area from Sunday morning through Tuesday evening as temperatures are expected to climb into the triple digits.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service say dangerously hot conditions, with temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees, are possible.
“This means most of the general population will be susceptible to heat- related illness, but especially those without access to air conditioning and those spending extended time outdoors,” read an NWS report Friday morning.
Starting Saturday, forecasters say, temperatures could reach into the mid-90s. By Monday, they could reach up to 100 degrees. Some areas between Salem and Vancouver could see temperatures exceed 100 degrees.
And nighttime temperatures are expected to stay warm.
“Low temperatures are not expected to provide much relief from the daytime heat Saturday night into Sunday morning through Monday night into Tuesday morning, especially Sunday night into Monday morning,” the NWS report said.
Chris Voss, director of emergency management for Multnomah County, said his office is monitoring the forecast to determine if the weather will meet the county’s threshold for opening emergency cooling centers.
As of Friday morning, those cooling centers remained closed.
“County offices and leadership will hold coordination calls each day it is hot, and a decision will be made in the morning on whether cooling centers will be activated later that day,” the county said in a statement.
According to Voss, other work has already begun, including through some of its outreach programs.
“A lot of those programs are focused on the houseless community. We’re upping some of those programs just to sort of provide some water and some electrolytes to folks that are outside.”
The sudden triple-digit temperatures after a string of chillier days earlier this month might take people by surprise, he said, making it especially important to plan ahead.
“Think about what you do have going on over for the next few days and try to avoid that hottest part of the day, especially if you’re going to find yourself in a position where you’re less likely to find shade,” Voss said.
Mike Horner loads his pick-up with water from Multnomah County that he'll hand out to homeless people during the heat this weekend. Northeast Portland, June 11, 2026
Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB
Clackamas and Washington counties are also monitoring the forecast to determine whether to activate their emergency responses and open their severe weather shelters this weekend. Temperatures are expected to stay in the 90s through Tuesday, according to forecasters.
A heat wave is also expected to hit Southern Oregon and Northern California this weekend, with temperatures climbing into the triple digits from Grants Pass to Redding starting on Thursday.
With things heating up this weekend, it's important to remember to protect yourself, friends and family, and those in your community. Here are some helpful tips to beat the heat on Sunday and Monday. #BeatTheHeat #ORwx #WAwx pic.twitter.com/iOfANCzJir
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) June 11, 2026
David Bishop, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said people should avoid going outside if possible and instead find an air-conditioned building to cool off.
“Making a plan to, say, go visit the library or go to the mall and walk around, or something along those lines, ways to get out of the heat or the outside during the very hottest parts of the day, that’s always a good idea,” he said.
Bishop also recommends checking on vulnerable neighbors and family members who are more sensitive to the heat. Extreme heat can cause a range of heat-related illnesses that can even be fatal, and the risk rises when people are unable to cool off overnight.
Related: How to recognize and prevent heat-related illnesses as temperatures rise in Oregon
🌡️ Extreme Heat Watches have been issued from Sun, 6/14 - Tue, 6/16 for parts of the Willamette Valley, Lower Columbia Valley, & Columbia River Gorge.
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) June 11, 2026
🧢 Have sun protection
💨 Find locations with AC
🥵 Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the day if possible#ORwx #WAwx pic.twitter.com/KAFb56ihYv
Forecasters urge people to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. For people without air conditioning, forecasters recommend using fans to keep air moving, as well as keeping windows closed during the day and open at night.
According to Bishop, this weekend’s heat could break records across the Portland-Vancouver metro area.
“We’ve had like a couple days here and there that have broken into the low 90s,” he said. “But nothing in the triple digits for 2026.”
This region doesn’t typically see triple digit temps until around mid-July, Bishop said. The earliest Portland has seen triple-digit heat was in May 1983.
The temperatures will quickly rise, but as it’s early in the summer season, waterways will still be cold. Officials urge caution for anyone getting into the water this weekend, because the shock of the cold water can be extremely dangerous.
Forecasters are also raising wildfire concerns across the Columbia River Gorge and Cascades.
“In addition to the heat, there will also be increasing fire weather concerns in areas with cured grasses and finer fuels,” according to the forecast discussion.
Meanwhile, national meteorologists have announced that a months-long weather phenomenon called El Niño has officially begun.
El Niño is when ocean temperatures near the equator naturally fluctuate, triggering global weather changes. In Oregon, that could mean the months ahead might be warmer and drier than usual.
OPB reporter April Ehrlich contributed to this story.