~Summer Around the Pacific Northwest~
ry * Click here for details....... Exclusive Inland NW Summary Issued: Thursday, July 23, 2026 @ 5:45am
WRITTEN BY: Climatologist Bob Lutz
(Summaries are issued as needed and will be updated more frequently during times of active weather)
Strong high pressure from the desert southwest continues to dominate the pattern, which will give us well above normal temperatures through Friday. In areas with thick haze and smoke, temperatures will be a tad cooler but still very hot! The airmass will also be a bit unstable as an offshore storm moves close to the region. That combined with the recent passage of some monsoonal moisture will give us the chance of an isolated shower or thunderstorm through tonight. Not much rain (if any) is expected, but instead, the biggest hazard will be dry lightning and gusty winds. Slightly cooler air will also gradually make its way into the forecast area, which will be accompanied by breezy conditions at times going into the early part of the upcoming weekend. As such, expect INCREASED WILDFIRE CONCERNS to continue, at least early in the period.
LONG-TERM FORECAST
I don't see any major changes to the overall pattern, but there is some uncertainty in the extended period. The models are split on the evolution of another offshore storm due to arrive next week. Some models say that the slightly cooler temperatures in place early in the period will lead to a slow moderation as hot high pressure pushes back into the Northwest, while others say the offshore system will have more of an influence with continued near-normal temperatures. At this time, models seem to be leaning toward the hotter solution!
General Short-Term Model Agreement: GOOD
General Long-Term Model Agreement: FAIR
