~Summer Around the Pacific Northwest~
Exclusive Inland NW Summary Issued: Saturday, August 1, 2026 @ 7:00am
WRITTEN BY: Climatologist Bob Lutz
(Summaries are issued as needed and will be updated more frequently during times of active weather)
SHORT-TERM FORECAST
A storm system moving through southern Canada will send a powerful dry cold front into the region today, which will result in another period of ELEVATED WILDFIRE ACTIVITY. Unlike previous wind events so far this summer, this front is packing a little more energy and will likely result in some localized tree damage and power outages in some of our typically windier areas. Following the frontal passage, the winds will diminish overnight, but it will still be rather breezy on Sunday and Monday. Temperatures beginning on Sunday and going into the early portion of the new work week will also be considerably cooler. In addition, residual moisture sliding to our north could result in some cloud cover, and a slight chance of an isolated shower in the northern zones early in the week, but it will otherwise remain extremely dry. Smoke and haze will continue to be problematic in some areas as well. The good news is that beyond today, I don't see any other big wind events this week, though given the prevailing pattern, locally breezy afternoons will continue through the period. Temperatures will warm up again after midweek, but I don't see any "major" heat waves in our immediate future.
LONG-TERM FORECAST
The strong SW high pressure ridge currently shows no signs of releasing its grip on the Inland Northwest anytime soon as the West remains stuck in a rather stagnant pattern. The result will be more of the same hot and dry weather going into the foreseeable future. Temperatures will fluctuate at times but still average above normal for the most part. There are some hints of possible scattered shower activity during the second week of August as moisture slides down out of Canada, but chances at this time remain iffy.
General Long-Term Model Agreement: EXCELLENT
General Long-Term Model Agreement: EXCELLENT






