Unprecedented: Northwest Heat Wave Builds, Records Fall

Unprecedented: Northwest Heat Wave Builds, Records Fall
Bicyclists ride across a pedestrian bridge in the morning to escape from the heat in Portland, Ore., on June 27, 2021. Craig Mitchelldyer/AP Photo
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PORTLAND, Ore.—Intense. Prolonged. Record-breaking. Unprecedented. Abnormal. Dangerous.

That’s how the National Weather Service described the historic heat wave that is hitting the Pacific Northwest, pushing daytime temperatures into the triple digits and breaking all-time high temperature records in places where many residents don’t have air conditioning.