The King County Regional Homelessness Authority has activated severe weather protocols for Thursday and Friday, as temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-90s on both days.

The Authority’s Tier 2 Heat & Smoke Severe Weather Protocols are activated in King County according to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk categories. Thursday and Friday’s local temperatures would place our region in an Orange 2 category—when heat levels affect individuals most sensitive to heat, particularly those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.

Under the Tier 2 activation, the Authority will disseminate key public health information for at-risk groups, distribute water and cooling supplies to service providers, partner with select jurisdictions to activate cooling spaces, and contact service providers to ensure their HVAC and ice-making systems are working properly.

Depending on the forecast, the Authority said that Tier 2 activation might be extended beyond Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for portions of Northwest and Central Washington (including King County) from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.

Temperatures on Thursday and Friday will range from the mid-80s to mid-90s, the weather service said, adding that such conditions pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.

United Way of King County has partnered with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to address the area’s unhoused population and keep those at risk of eviction in their homes.