Summary:
- Near normal temperatures were experienced over much of the western US wine producing regions in June, although Central to Southern California was cooler than average due to continued strong coastal upwelling that has kept coastal zones in California cooler than average. Dry conditions continued in the western US in June adding to the growing drought concerns and fueling early season fires in many states.
- Short to medium term forecasts indicate that the warmest conditions of the summer so far will likely build from south to north through mid-July. Extreme heat and offshore flow will start in Southern California and expand into the PNW as a strong ridge of high pressure develops over the west. The greatest likelihood of precipitation in the short-term is for Southern California and desert southwest with increasing monsoon flow.
- Relatively warm and dry weather is favored in July for the western US, however, indications are that August and September will likely be more moderate, or near average to slightly above average. All analog years and forecasts continue to indicate that 2018 is likely to end up close to the average heat accumulation of the last five years across the majority of the western US.
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