~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: Thursday, August 27, 2026 @ 11:15am
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 significant pattern change is now underway as high pressure weakens and allows an area of low pressure to move inland. This will increase our winds at times and usher in some cooler weather. There will also be occasional cloud cover, but at this time, it still looks like any appreciable shower activity will continue to elude the Inland Northwest. Instead, there is just a slight chance of a scattered shower or thunderstorm through the weekend, with the highest chances over the mountains.
LONG-TERM FORECAST
Storminess over the Gulf of Alaska will continue to try and make a run at the Northwest, which will give us periods of clouds, breezy conditions, and temperatures averaging slightly below normal. After midweek, the pattern will become rather interesting, as many models are indicating at least some degree of moisture making its way into the Inland Northwest. If the models verify, then expect some better chances of measurable shower activity as we move through the end of next week.
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 dissagree 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
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