Summary:
- Compared to July, August temperatures moderated some ending up 1-2°F above average across many wine regions in the west (a smoke effect? see below). Areas in and around the Bay Area and the Northern California to Oregon coast continued to see average to slightly cooler than average conditions from strong coastal upwelling and cooler SSTs. Dry conditions persisted in the western US in August, continuing long-term drought concerns, especially in the PNW.
- While some short-term warming this week will be seen for most, a drop to seasonal temperatures is likely through mid-month and there are a couple of frontal passages and, dare I say, rain in the offering! I do not expect much from these events, but they will likely be the first significant rains since late April. The PNW is more likely to get in on this rain with the probably decreasing as you head south.
- The seasonal forecast continues to indicate a relatively warm and dry western US through fall and early winter. While this does not mean that it will not rain, the overall pattern is tilting the odds to being drier than average through at least mid-November, adding to the ongoing drought conditions, especially in the PNW.
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