Weather: Summer looks drier, warmer than usual

Though the official start of summer is still 10 days away, temperatures are in the 90s.

Monday, the temperature reached 96 – breaking the record for that date of 91 set in 1931.

It was even hotter in Yakima that day. That city reached 105 on Monday, tying the city’s all-time June heat record set on June 23, 1992. It was the earliest 105-degree reading recorded by 15 days.

It was also very hot to the south. Medford, Oregon, hit 105 on Monday, the same temperature as Death Valley. Parts of Northern California were near 110 degrees, a pattern more typical of July and August.

 In terms of precipitation, a storm system on June 1 dropped 0.06 inches of moisture at the Spokane International Airport. However, in Coeur d’Alene, a strong thunderstorm developed and brought about 2.1 inches of rainfall that afternoon and evening. There were reports of streets turning into rivers from the extreme downpours.

 The heavy rainfall certainly helped North Idaho – more than 14 inches of precipitation has fallen in this area since Jan. 1. By contrast, the airport has measured 6.82 inches since the first of the year. The normal to date is about 8.15 inches.

 Through the rest of June into early July, I see scattered thunderstorms in the region and generally warmer-than-normal temperatures, again thanks to El Nino, the warmer than normal sea-surface temperature event in the south-central Pacific Ocean.

This summer still looks drier than usual under a strong, stationary ridge of high pressure. Temperatures should average at least a couple of degrees above normal. Despite the recent heat wave, the hottest period should arrive either in late July or early in the month of August. Triple-digit readings will be likely across Central and Eastern Washington with a good chance of 100-degree weather in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.