It's going to be hot... be careful out there

Mount Rainier's recreational forecast is predicting hot temperatures this weekend, peaking on Saturday with a high of 84 degrees at Paradise. While this is nowhere near the mid-nineties predicted for the lowlands, it's still a very intense temperature, especially when you factor in ultraviolet exposure at 5400 feet elevation (or higher at Sunrise). Please be careful!

From the National Weather Service's Special Weather Statement for the weekend:

...HOT WEATHER IS EXPECTED FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND AS WELL AS
RISING FIRE DANGER...

DURING HOT WEATHER IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY HYDRATED BY DRINKING
PLENTY OF WATER. IF YOU ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE HEAT...STAY
INSIDE IN AIR CONDITIONED AREAS. AVOID LEAVING CHILDREN AND PETS
UNATTENDED IN CARS...AS TEMPERATURES INSIDE PARKED CARS CAN RISE
VERY QUICKLY TO DEADLY LEVELS. REMEMBER TO APPLY SUNSCREEN IF YOU
ARE OUTDOORS. 

There are a lot of activities scheduled in the park this weekend. The Washington Trails Association will be working on trails... Meadow Rovers will be out in force... Citizen Scientists are in bloom... and our intrepid volunteer program assistant, Crow, is still looking for people to help with Adopt-a-Highway litter patrol on Sunday morning.

Please make safety your number one concern. Watch your hydration and sun exposure, and take shelter if it becomes too much. Remember: the first rule of having fun is to STAY SAFE!