On a hot day, not much sounds better than whipping on some sunscreen, sunglasses and a swimsuit and heading to the beach for a dip in the cool water.
That sweaty weather might make the lake look real enticing, but beware: bacteria.
Seattle is in the throes of an extreme heat warning across Western Washington through early Wednesday morning. Sunday’s temperatures broke records set in 1982, the Seattle National Weather Service noted. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport saw a high of 90, surpassing its record of 88, and Olympia reached 95 degrees, passing its previous record of 94.
But don’t be hasty in your attempts to cool off. King County on Monday identified six beaches where you shouldn’t swim.
They’re mostly around Lake Washington. Water tests are showing high levels of bacteria at Gene Coulon Beach in Renton, Houghton Beach in Kirkland, Idylwood Beach in Redmond, Luther Burbank Beach in Mercer Island and Madison Park Beach in Seattle. Mount Baker Beach in Seattle is being flagged for high levels of sewage after a spill.
Don’t get too spooked, though. You can still take a dip at plenty of beaches along Lake Washington that are testing fine, such as Magnuson Beach, Madrona Beach and Seward Park Beach.
It may be hot, but savor the sun. Seattle’s last 8 p.m. sunset is Tuesday night.
