National Weather ServiceWashingtonExtreme Heat WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Extreme Heat Warnings in Washington
The National Weather Service issued 10 extreme heat warnings for Washington in 2025 and 4 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 15th most of any state. 2026 through September: 1, 75% below the average of 4 for those months in 2008-2025. Wenatchee Area was covered most often (18 times since 2008).
How many extreme heat warnings does Washington get?
Every extreme heat warning that covered part of Washington. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Washington get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Washington?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee Area | 18 | 8 | September 1, 2025 |
| Moses Lake Area | 18 | 8 | September 1, 2025 |
| Western Columbia River Gorge | 17 | 1 | August 13, 2023 |
| Greater Vancouver Area | 17 | 1 | August 13, 2023 |
| Yakima Valley | 16 | 8 | September 2, 2025 |
| Okanogan Valley | 16 | 6 | September 1, 2025 |
| Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties | 16 | 7 | September 1, 2025 |
| Kittitas Valley | 16 | 8 | September 2, 2025 |
| Waterville Plateau | 15 | 5 | August 23, 2025 |
| Upper Columbia Basin | 15 | 5 | August 23, 2025 |
| Simcoe Highlands | 15 | 7 | September 2, 2025 |
| Lower Columbia Basin of Washington | 15 | 7 | September 2, 2025 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest extreme heat warnings for Washington in AreaZine's record
NWS PortlandWarningJune 11, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: Tualatin Valley, West Hills and Chehalem Mountains, Inner Portland Metro and 5 more, OR and WA
Expired 11:00 p.m. PDT, June 16, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is an extreme heat warning?
An extreme heat warning means dangerous heat is expected, measured by heat index or temperature thresholds each office sets. It replaced the excessive heat warning in 2025. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. AreaZine's counts include the excessive heat warnings issued before the change. The national record · Every warning type in Washington.