Last week’s Pacific Northwest heatwave spiked temperatures in Portland, Ore. and Seattle. Both cities recorded temperatures over 100 degrees for three days straight. Temperatures hit 108 degrees in Portland on June 26, 112 degrees the next day, and 115 degrees the following day. Seattle experienced heat of 102 degrees, 104 degrees, and 107 degrees in the same period. Seattle had logged three-digit temperatures just twice before in the past 70 years. Temperatures hit 103 degrees on July 29, 2009, and 100 degrees on July 20, 1994.
Seattle is particularly vulnerable to high temperatures because most households do not have air conditioning. Portland also reports lower rates of air conditioning compared to other major cities.
Ninety one percent of American households had central air or window units in 2019, according to the Census Bureau. But of the largest 15 metro areas, Seattle had the fewest homes with air conditioning, at 44%. Around 22% of Seattle households have central air, while 15% have air conditioning in no more than one room.
