Seattle experiences record-breaking heat on Sunday, June 8
Seattle has shattered a 76-year-old temperature record on Sunday, June 8, 2025, with an unexpected blast of early-summer heat. Around 5 p.m., temperatures at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport soared to a blistering 90°F (32.2°C), surpassing not only the forecasted high of 82°F (27.8°C) but also the previous record of 87°F (30.5°C) set in 1948.
This marks the first known time temperatures on this date exceeded the 87-degree threshold, as confirmed by meteorologist Samantha Borth during a Sunday evening update. A similar high was recorded on June 8, 2015, but yesterday’s heat broke through for the first time.
Puget Sound region also sees unusual temperatures
Though the core record was broken in Seattle, other parts of the Puget Sound region felt the heat surge as well. In Bellingham, temperatures tied a long-standing record of 82°F (27.8°C) set in 1955, according to Borth.
A heat advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Monday, with temperatures on June 9 expected to climb again into the mid-to-upper 80s°F (29.4°C to 31.6°C).
Relief expected midweek as high pressure moves out
After Monday’s heat peak, the weather pattern will begin to shift, thanks to a retreating ridge of high pressure. Tuesday is forecasted to bring slightly cooler conditions, with highs a few degrees lower, and by Wednesday, temperatures are expected to settle into the 70s°F (21°C–26°C), returning closer to seasonal norms.
Borth emphasized that while brief heat events like this are not uncommon in early June, they generally last only two to three days. To be considered atypical or extreme, elevated temperatures would need to persist for five to six days.
Caution around cold waters despite high air temperatures
Despite the hot air, the Puget Sound’s water remains dangerously cold, averaging around 50°F (10°C). The National Weather Service has issued a warning about the risks of cold water shock, which can still be lethal even during hot spells. Locals are urged to remain vigilant near lakes, rivers, and the Sound, as the contrast between air and water temperatures poses a serious hazard.
Seattle and the greater Washington state region now face another day of summerlike intensity, but cooler air is on the horizon as the week progresses.
