Early-season heat wave brings record high temperatures to West Coast

WASHINGTON (TND) — An early-season heat wave is pushing temperatures to record highs across the West Coast.

Almost 11 million people from the Pacific Northwest to central California are under heat advisories right now. According to the Weather Prediction Center, the daily average temperatures are about 15-25 degrees above normal and will stay that way through Wednesday.

The National Weather Service warns that temperatures up to the lower-90s could stretch from Seattle to Portland, Oregon.

The heat wave that started Friday set several heat records over the weekend. Seattle reached a record 82 degrees on Saturday. Portland, Oregon set two records, reaching 93 degrees Saturday and 92 degrees on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Texas Gulf Coast town of Laguna Heights is cleaning up after an EF-1 tornado struck Saturday. Authorities report that one person was killed and 10 others were sent to the hospital. At least two of them remain in critical condition.

The Brownsville Fire Department says as many as 60 homes were damaged by the twister.

Another line of storms is expected to move through west Texas to the Southeast coast, bringing rounds of showers and severe thunderstorms through Wednesday. Forecasters say the storms could produce large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.