Summary:
- A relatively mild month of July with low heat stress compared to July 2018. The month was moderate to extremely dry, increasing concerns for ongoing dry conditions in the PNW and the fire risk across the west.
- Growing degree-day accumulations slowed some during July, but continue 50-250 GDD above average in all but portions of the north and central coast of California and eastern Washington, which are closer to average or slightly below average. Véraison reports and estimates point to an average to slightly delayed vintage.
- The forecast through mid-month indicates a warm start to August becoming seasonal through mid-month then warming to slightly above average later in the month with no major heat events. Some precipitation is forecast for the extreme northwest, but not much expected, while the rest of the west should stay dry.
- A very warm North Pacific is driving the forecast for August through October, with the western US likely seeing a warmer than average second half of summer and start to fall. The precipitation forecast calls for near average throughout the west, which for August and September is largely little to nothing, but no indication yet for the onset of fall rains.
