111 degrees! Get ready for a long week of scorching Tri-Cities temperatures

Sizzling hot temperatures are forecast for the Tri-Cities just in time for Water Follies next week.

The National Weather Service is predicting the hottest temperatures of the year to date next week.

The Weather Channel forecasts temperatures as hot as 111 on Thursday, July 28.

The weather service’s best prediction is 109 that day, but gives a 4% chance that temperatures could reach 110 degrees or higher.

Temperatures should moderate a few degrees during Water Follies weekend July 29-31, but will still be above 100, according to The Weather Channel.

The weather service predicts a high of 100 on Thursday with possible isolated thunderstorms overnight.

Then highs should drop into the mid 90s for Friday and Saturday before starting to climb again.

Sunday or Monday should start a string of triple-digit high days through at least Thursday, according to the weather service. It forecasts temperatures only through Thursday.

The Weather Channel offers a 10-day forecast, and predicts highs hotter than 100 from Sunday, July 24, through Tuesday, Aug 2.

Nights also hot

Nights will offer limited relief from hot weather.

The weather service says lows will be as warm as the 70s next week, with the low Tuesday night forecast at 73.

Normal average highs for the Tri-Cities in July are 93 and normal average lows are 57.

It’s usually the hottest and driest month of the year, with normal precipitation of 0.15 inch.

Last summer temperatures set a new state hot weather record of 120 degrees just north of Richland at the Hanford site in Eastern Washington.

Four people in Benton and Franklin counties who did not have air-conditioned homes died from heat-related causes in late June and early July, according to coroners for the two counties.

People are urged to check on friends and neighbors, particularly the elderly, during the coming heat wave.

Extreme weather increases the chance of a power outage, and Franklin PUD in Pasco recommends having a plan in place in case they lose power and need a cool place to stay.

Libraries, malls, community centers and movie theaters all can be a place for people to cool down for a few hours indoors.

Hot weather electric bills

If high cooling bills are your concern, the Franklin PUD offers some tips:

▪ Set your thermostat to the highest setting comfortable. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.

Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you first turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

▪ Avoid using your oven, dryer or dishwasher during the hottest times of the day.

▪ Use ceiling and oscillating fans to create a “wind chill” effect. The moving air makes the temperature in the room feel cooler, allowing for a higher thermostat setting.

▪ Close blinds and window coverings during the hottest times of the day to reduce heat radiating into your home.

▪ Grill outdoors or use your microwave oven to prepare meals.

▪ Turn off lights, TVs and appliances when not in use.

▪ Turn down the temperature on your water heater.

Water heating can account for 14 to 25 percent of energy use. Turning your water heater down to the warm setting of 120 degrees can save you a few dollars a month.

With the peak of the heatwave not forecast until next week, there is time to check for and fix problems.

A dirty cooling system filter will reduce air flow and could put stress on the system, causing it to fail, according to the Franklin PUD.

Also check for light coming in around outside doors due to worn or missing weather stripping. Weather stripping, which can be purchased at home improvement and hardware stores, helps keep cool air in and hot air out.