The first match of the men's World Cup in Seattle on Monday surprised visitors and locals with real summer heat rather than the usual rain and fog the region is known for. Temperatures at Sea-Tac airport rose to 32°C (90°F), breaking the record for that date set in 1963 (31°C). Interestingly, in Cairo — where Egypt and Belgium played — the temperature was the same: 32°C. The match ended 1-1, giving fans a football celebration under the hot sun.
This sweltering Monday marked the 15th consecutive year Seattle has seen temperatures reach 32°C (90°F). The average date of the first such hot day is July 3, but this year the heat arrived earlier. Although Western Washington rarely experiences such heat — only four years in the 21st century had no 90-degree days — meteorologists warn the anomaly will persist through Tuesday morning. So World Cup visitors may take home not only football memories but also a tan.
Based on: Seattle weather: 90-degree heat breaks record under World Cup spotlight