Summary:
- Warmer than average* August for the majority of the western US. Coastal zones warmed slightly as well.
- Monsoon moisture brought thunderstorms to the west, with some locally heavy rains but mostly dry lightning events. The first hint of fall with a frontal passage and some rain in western Washington, otherwise dry.
- The drought footprint in the west remains, although anticipated fall temperatures and rains have lowered the 90 day outlook to improved conditions or complete removal of drought in the PNW.
- A complex circulation pattern over the eastern Pacific and west will bring an extreme heat event to western Canada and inland PNW over a week or so. More seasonal temperatures south. Monsoon moisture is likely for much of California, the mountains and basin, but dry lightning concerns and wildfire risk will be elevated.
- September is looking to be warm to start, then mild and mostly dry till the end of the month, when rain chances increase, especially across the PNW.
- The 90-day forecast is calling for a mostly warm and dryish three-month period with September likely warm to mild and mostly dry, October turning more seasonally cool and on the wetter side, and then November mild and dry to seasonally average precipitation.
