Summary:
- April was warmer than average over most of the west. Coastal zones in California and portions of the interior were closer to average or slightly below average.
- After a moderately wet March, April turned dry over most of the western US. Snowpacks are extremely low in southern basins and across the northern Cascades and Rockies, while northern California, southern to central Oregon, and southern Idaho are running above average.
- Drought conditions have continued to improve from northern California into the PNW, while southern California, across the southwest to western Texas, remains in moderate to extreme drought.
- Typical early May weather with seasonal temperatures and a few chances for rain into mid-month. Some cool nights on the horizon but no concerns about cold air and frost potential in the forecasts.
- The May forecast for the west is ambiguous, with equal chances of above to below temperatures and precipitation for most of the west. I would say we are in for a seasonal month when it’s said and done.
- Heading into the first half of summer, the 90-day forecast is pointing to a high likelihood of a warmer and drier western US. If May holds to seasonal, then the forecast is pointing to a much warmer than average June and July. The monsoon season is the wild card for the southwest with greater chances for a wetter period than elsewhere in the west.
