Temps drop nearly 10-degrees, summer heat remains around the PNW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Temperatures are finally starting to cool, but the summer season continues with highs in the 90s Wednesday.

A nearly 10+ degree temperature drop will put the Portland, Vancouver metro area in the low 90s Wednesday. The above average temperatures are expected to last through the end of the week. That's where the number of consecutive 90-degree plus days could near record-breaking territory.

Air quality is expected to improve as wildfire smoke from Northern California starts to move east Wednesday. Overall, the fire weather danger remains elevated through the day Wednesday. Central Oregon and Washington is expecting to hold on to the excessive heat through the middle of the week. That combined with low relative humidity values and breezy conditions will increase the threat of wildfires starting and spreading rapidly.

Some relief from the heat will be felt during the overnight hours moving forward this week. Early morning lows will start to dip back into the low-60s. This is considerably cooler than the upper-60s and low-70s and even 80s some experienced during the peak of the heat wave.

Temperatures will remain above the average through the start of next week. The lack of rainfall and warmer than normal temperatures will continue to keep the wildfire threat elevated over the next week.