Seattle residents are bracing for a wave of heat as the National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a heat advisory expected to last from Thursday noon until Friday at 9 PM PDT. According to the alert, temperatures may soar into the upper 80s to low 90s, creating a moderate to potentially major threat of heat-related illnesses, especially for the vulnerable or those without access to air conditioning or sufficient hydration. The advisory, which impacts a broad portion of northwest and west central Washington, strongly recommends drinking plenty of fluids, seeking air-conditioned spaces, and avoiding direct sun exposure.

Furthermore, the NWS forecast indicates widespread haze attributed to elevated smoke levels. Despite the potential for the haze to shave a few degrees off the peak temperatures, health and safety concerns persist, and the public is urged to remain cautious, areas affected by this advisory include cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Bremerton among others as noted by NWS Seattle. Officials also stress the importance of monitoring signs for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, advising to wear lightweight clothing, the extended forecast does suggest subsequent relief, with temperatures expected to decrease after Sunday.

Alongside the heat advisory, NWS provides preventive guidelines for outdoor activities which include rescheduling strenuous activities to cooler parts of the day, wearing appropriate clothing, and taking regular breaks in shaded or conditioned environments. According to NWS, "Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1." They also point to resources available like dialing 2 1 1 or visiting wa211.org for information on sheltering and human services.

Residents are advised to keep an eye on the elderly, young children, and pets, never leaving them in parked vehicles as interior temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels. The NWS message highlights that during such conditions, checking up on relatives and neighbors becomes ever more pivotal, and it is essential for communities to aid one another and to remember that pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstance, the forecasted weather pattern suggests the haze and hot conditions may linger until the weekend with the possibility of cooler days ahead starting Monday.