~Summer Around the Pacific Northwest~
RED FLAG WARNINGS have been extended through early Sunday for parts of our forecast area * Click here for all the latest information.......
Exclusive Inland NW Summary Issued: Monday, September 7, 2026 @ 2:15pm
WRITTEN BY: Climatologist Bob Lutz
(Summaries are issued as needed and will be updated more frequently during times of active weather)
SHORT-TERM FORECAST
The storm system responsible for all the much needed rain will slowly exit the forecast area overnight. Until then, expect areas of rain and the chance of isolated thunderstorms to continue. Weather conditions will gradually improve on Tuesday as the storm finally exits the Northwest. Quieter, warmer weather is then on tap through the rest of the workweek.
LONG-TERM FORECAST
Models are struggling with the forecasts for later in the week and going into the weekend. A storm from the Gulf of Alaska will begin moving toward the Northwest, but models are at odds about whether it will make it into our region or stay north of the Canadian border. To make things even a bit more complex, the remnants of a tropical system may help feed the storm. All this should at least result in cooler temperatures and an increasing chance of precipitation, but to what degree remains to be seen... Stay tuned!
SPECIAL WINTER OUTLOOK COMMENTARY
The forecast of a "super El Nino" already has a few of our local meterologists pulling the trigger on predicting yet another dry winter, but I have to say that I strongly disagree with making such a prediction this early on! I have been watching this equatorial Pacific phenomenon for over 40 years, and quite frankly, I have seen some El Nino winters come with much better precipitation than many of our recent La Niña events, which are "supposed" to be cold and wet. Prime examples are what happened last year AND the winter before. The basis of my disagreement is that there are many other weather phenomena that interconnect to form our weather patterns here in the Northwest. The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) certainly have more of an effect on the outcome of our Northwest winters than the stand-alone monitoring of the water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Add in the unpredictability of the Arctic Oscillation (which can change course in just a matter of days) and you can clearly see why making a prediction this far out is a bit premature! So in summary, don't hang up those skis or sell the winter gear quite yet, as there is certainly much more to monitor in the weeks ahead!
General Short-Term Model Agreement: GOOD
General Long-Term Model Agreement: FAIR
Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all those affected by the historic Northwest wildfires. The long-term recovery process is now underway, and it's never too late to help. Please consider making a charitable donation by clicking on the icon below. With Innovia, your donation stays local, and they have much lower overhead which means more of your money goes to the fire victims...
