MOSES LAKE — Check the air conditioner and lay in a supply of ice – it’s going to get hot this week. Hot, hot. Good and hot. All the way up to blast-furnace hot.

“Summer has arrived,” said Robin Fox, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane.

Temperatures are forecast to be 93 to 95 degrees and above all week in Moses Lake, topping out on Friday at 99 to 101 degrees. The cool-down starts Saturday, with the lower 90s forecast, and into the mid-80s by Sunday, Fox said.

It being the last week of July and all, hot weather is to be expected. Late July and early August are the hottest time of the year in Grant County, Fox said. The average temperature in Moses Lake for the last week in July is 91 degrees.

Summer 2016 has not been average, though. It’s been cooler than average.

Summer usually brings high pressure zones to the Pacific Northwest, which boosts temperatures. Summer 2016 has been influenced by low pressure off the Washington coast, Fox explained, pushing storms into the state’s interior and keeping temperatures below seasonal averages.

The 10-to-14-day outlook for eastern Washington shows temperatures back to or below those seasonal norms, she added.

For the next week, however, the high pressure is back and it’s hot. Good and hot.

The Washington Department of Health has many tips to help people stay cool when it gets good and hot. The first tip is staying indoors with the air conditioning if possible. If there’s no air conditioning, residents should stay on the lowest floor, out of the sun.

People who have to be outside should drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or sugar. Pets too need plenty of water.

Babies should be dressed appropriately; no blankets or heavy clothing. Nobody, and no pets, should be left in a vehicle.

Covering windows that get morning or evening sun is a good idea when it’s hot.

It’s also a good idea to take frequent breaks when working outside in hot weather. Strenuous activities should be scheduled for early morning or later in the day, after it starts to cool off. People should wear loose, light-colored clothing.

Sunburn interferes with the body’s ability to cool itself, so the WDOH report recommends using sunscreen.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.