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At a Glance Parts of the Pacific Northwest and California will bake in a heat wave into next week.

The worst of the heat in the Pacific Northwest will occur through Friday.

Smoke kept temperatures away from all-time records on Thursday.

A blistering heat wave will sear the Northwest into next week, setting daily record highs.

Why the Heat Wave?

Temperatures have climbed due to a large ridge of high pressure aloft in the West, pushing the jet stream well into northern British Columbia.

Near this expansive, bulging high, sinking air will minimize cloud cover and allow temperatures to soar to the record values detailed above.

(MORE: August Temperature Outlook )

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/record_heat_setup_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/record_heat_setup_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/record_heat_setup_0.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > A ridge of high pressure will bring summer heat for the early part of August in the West.

A Few Tips to Beat the Heat

Remember to stay hydrated even if you don't feel thirsty.

Wear light-colored clothing to stay cool.

Take breaks if you must be outside, and find shade when you feel hot.

Always "look before you lock" your car to make sure you haven't left your kids or furry friends in the backseat.

Check up on your friends and neighbors that may be more susceptible to summer heat.

(MORE: 4 Things Extreme Heat Does to Your Body )

Recap: Record Highs This Week

Several daily record highs were set Thursday, Aug. 2, including: Medford, Oregon (109 degrees), The Dalles (108 degrees), Portland, Oregon (103 degrees), Eugene, Oregon (102 degrees), Olympia, Washington (96 degrees), Seattle (94 degrees), Santa Maria, California (88 degrees).

Smoke covering much of the region kept temperatures below all-time record levels on Thursday.

Dozens of daily record highs were set Wednesday, Aug. 2, including: Portland, Oregon (103 degrees), Medford, Oregon (112 degrees), Salem, Oregon (107 degrees), Eugene, Oregon (102 degrees), Seattle (91 degrees), Quillayute, Washington (98 degrees) and Reno, Nevada (104 degrees).

The 107-degree high in Salem, Oregon, Wednesday was only 1 degree shy of the all-time record high of 108 degrees, set most recently on Aug. 9, 1981. In addition, Quillayute, Washington, reached its second-hottest temperature on record Wednesday with a high of 98 degrees.

Several daily record highs were set Tuesday, Aug. 1, including: Medford, Oregon (110 degrees), Montague, California (107 degrees), Reno, Nevada (103 degrees - tied), Salem, Oregon (101 degrees), and Mt. Shasta City, California (100 degrees).

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Northwest Heat Wave