Summary:
- August was warmer than average1 across the vast majority of the western US.
- August was also seasonally dry, although remnants of a tropical storm brought intense thunderstorms and a record number of lightning strikes along the California coast, unfortunately starting numerous wildfires.
- The drought footprint continued to expand over the west and is forecast to stay in place through the first half of winter except for western Oregon and central Washington which is expected to see some seasonal improvement.
- Moderate to extreme heat event through at least September 10th with some models pointing to a rapid cool down and others saying seasonal to the end of the month. No precipitation forecast through mid-month; the second half is also anticipated to be dry but forecasts out more than two weeks in September are fickle.
- The forecast for September through November points to the likelihood of a warmer than average period for much of the western US. The overall precipitation outlook is pointing to near average conditions for California and Oregon, and slightly wetter than average in Washington and the inland PNW.
