An early summer heat wave on the North Olympic Peninsula broke Monday for West End communities, and it is expected to end today for most other Peninsula areas today.
By the time dusk falls Thursday, residents might want to consider a light jacket for Fourth of July activities, said Allen Kam, National Weather Service meteorologist.
East Clallam and East Jefferson counties spent a third day in sweltering temperatures, the thermometer reaching 88 degrees in Quilcene at 3 p.m. Monday.
Farther west, Port Angeles and Forks each reached a significantly cooler 70 at
3 p.m.
Sunday’s temperatures in the 80s gave way to mostly upper 70s Monday in west and central Clallam County as a cool west breeze ushered in a marine layer that left Forks overcast and cool.
A more seasonal 60s and low 70s are forecast in Port Angeles and Port Townsend, with morning and nighttime low clouds, Kam said.
“Today is it as far as the hot weather goes,” he said Monday.
Around Clallam County, residents and visitors enjoyed the last of the warmer temperatures at the beach, and children’s lemonade stand sales were brisk.
Christy McGee, 39, and Kelsey McDaniel, 20, of Port Angeles spent the morning at Freshwater Bay with their dogs, Jesse, Scaj and Benny, all playing in the water.
The dogs had been “kicking it at home” for much of the heat wave, and the slightly cooler temperatures Monday drew them out to take a walk on the beach.
Scaj and Benny raced around the mostly empty beach and leaped through the water as McGee and McDaniel waded out into the gentle waves.
“This is the most exercise Benny has ever had,” McDaniel commented as the young pup raced through the water, chasing 8-year-old Scaj.
The temperatures were put in perspective by visitors from areas of the country hit hard by the current heat wave that is baking much of the western U.S.
“It was 116 when we left Arizona on Thursday,” said Michelle Mundt of Scottsdale, Ariz., who was part of a kayaking tour of Freshwater Bay on Monday.
Mundt said she and her husband traveled to Port Angeles to escape the heat of their home state, and to visit family.
“It’s wonderful,” she said of Monday’s 70-degree weather.
Adventures Through Kayaking Outfitters guide Ben Asmus, 25, of Port Angeles said the weather of the past week has been good for business.
“It’s great weather for paddling,” Asmus said.
Kaitlin Logue, 12, of Moses Lake and Reya Bryant, 9, of Port Angeles set up a lemonade stand at 12th and B streets, where they made $109 in lemonade sales Sunday.
Monday was slower, with about $10 by noon, Logue said.
The lemonade stand was set up to help Reya earn money to purchase a horse, but some of it will also be used for a family trip, Kaitlin said.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
