Summary:
- May brought a first half that was quite warm over the entire western US, followed by cool and wet conditions in the south and warm and dry conditions in the PNW during the second half of the month. A stuck pattern in the jet stream created a trough over the western US allowing systems to push further south than typical for this time of year.
- Growing degree-day accumulations are running 6-15 days ahead of normal north and 6-15 days later than normal south. Reports of bloom in many areas indicate that plant growth is slightly behind to close to average.
- Short-term forecasts through mid-month are indicating a mild to slightly warmer and drier than average next two weeks for much of the western US.
- The temperature forecast for June through August is holding to the western US likely seeing a warmer than average summer, while precipitation is forecast to be near average most places (which means seasonally dry) and lower than average in the PNW.
