Summary:
- July started relatively cool for many but ramped later in the month. The month ended up average to cooler than average1 in the PNW and the central coast south through California, while northern California, southern Oregon, Nevada, and the southwest were warmer than average.
- The western US was seasonally dry during July, with only some isolated thunderstorms inland and a weak start to the monsoon season in the southeast bringing any measurable precipitation.
- Drought concerns are forecast to remain in place or develop further for much of the west.
- Seasonal temperatures for the majority of the western US over the next 5-15 days with mostly onshore flow. No rain to speak of for the west, except maybe a sprinkle for northern Oregon and NW Washington. Warmer second half of month likely over the west, but low to an average chance of extreme heat.
- The forecast for August through October points to the likelihood of a warmer than average period for much of the western US. The overall precipitation outlook is pointing to near average conditions, although with little insight at this point for the onset of fall rain events.
