05/17/2008

Associated Press

The National Weather Service says this will be the warmest weekend in Washington since last summer. Forecasters expect highs in the 80s in Western Washington and 90s in Eastern Washington.

On Friday, the Weather Service says the thermometer hit 92 in Forks, near the Washington coast, and 96 in Vancouver, while highs east of the Cascade Mountains were in the 80s and 90s.

The warm temperatures are melting the mountain snowpack, and many rivers are running high, fast and cold.

The Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Stehekin (stuh-HEE'-kin) River in Chelan County and the Naches (na-CHEEZ') River in the Yakima Valley.

Forecasters are watching for flooding on the Yakima River. They also say minor flooding is possible this weekend in King, Pierce and Lewis counties. The rivers include the Snoqualmie, Puyallup, White, Nisqually, and Cowlitz.

The Weather Service also is warning of flooding on the St. Joe and Coeur d' Alene rivers in northern Idaho.

The summer-like heat brings its own hazards. Officials are warning of avalanches in the mountains. And, people seeking water risk drowning or hypothermia.