Summary:
- Near normal temperatures were seen over the majority of the west in April, except Southern California and the desert southwest, which continue to run warmer than average. April also brought above average precipitation from Northern California into the PNW.
- Current conditions continue to show a similar pattern to this time last year, however the short to medium term forecasts are calling for warmer than average conditions for the majority of the western US. Short term forecasts do call for some rain in the PNW, but conditions for frost occurrence are not in the current models.
- The seasonal forecast for May through July tilts the odds to a warm up from the coolish spring conditions. The PNW will likely end up near average for this period, while the southern half of the west will likely stay warmer and drier than average. Longer term forecasts and analog years indicate that 2018 will ultimately end up close to the 2012-2017 averages for heat accumulation throughout the majority of the western US.
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