Summary:
- Warmer than average temperatures over most of the western US in June. Cooler across the northern portions of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, with coastal zones near average.
- June was dry for much of the western US, especially across California and the intermountain regions. A wetter than average month was seen in northwestern Oregon and western Washington along with some tropical moisture affecting the Four Corners region.
- Heat accumulation is currently running near average to above average for inland areas of California and Oregon, while coastal zones and much of Washington and the Snake River Valley are below average.
- A ridge of high pressure has taken over much of the western US bringing with it a long-duration heat wave. Not much relief, even at the coast, over the next 7-10 days or more. Minimum temperatures are likely to be elevated to near records.
- No precipitation in the short or long term forecasts for most of the west, except possibly some monsoon flow into the southwest. Increasing dryness and high temperatures are elevating fire weather concerns which will likely be with us from now through the start of fall rains.
- The three-month forecast through September has the western US headed into a likely warmer and drier than average period. Some indication for a cooler and wetter September, time will tell.
- ENSO-neutral is in place in the Tropical Pacific with La Nina likely to develop during late summer to early fall. North Pacific coastal waters have warmed as well. Taken together, a warm summer is more likely, along with what is already an early and more active hurricane season in the Atlantic and Gulf.
