Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Summer Is Back! Dry Weather And Warm, Sunny Skies In the Forecast

The last week of July is historically the driest week of the year. And despite record-breaking rain last week, the forecast for the days ahead fits the bill for this time of year, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.

“We’re going to have sun, warmth and virtually no precipitation,” Mass said of the week ahead.

Friday will be “a really nice day” as we make the transition to higher temps, with low morning clouds burning off in quite a few areas around western Washington. Scattered drizzle along the coast and in British Columbia will end later in the day.

“So, sun will be out there for most people and temperatures will rise up into the lower 70s,” Mass said.

Progressively Warming Weekend

As we go into the weekend and early next week, Mass predicts progressively warming temperatures.

Saturday, we’ll get into the mid and maybe upper 70s.

Sunday, we’ll get to the upper 70s and maybe to 80.

Monday and Tuesday, we’ll go into the mid 80s.

“And it looks like it will be sunny throughout the whole period. So, a major improving trend,” Mass said.

And he says the strong ridge of pressure that’s causing the change is far away enough that it won’t get too hot.

“We’re not going to get into the 90s, because the ridge is too far to the east. And that allows a little bit of marine air to come in, to keep us to getting to record levels, although there’s a chance that that could happen,” Mass said.

More Wildfire Danger

Mass says the drying trend doesn’t spell immediate danger for firefighters east of the Cascades, but it does set up the potential for more trouble soon.

“It’s going to be much warmer in eastern Washington — 90s to low 100s again,” Mass said. “So, we’re going to go into another cycle of sun and warmth and drying.”

He says as soon as another trough comes in and brings another pulse of lightening, the dry fuels will be ready to spark. But in the week ahead, Mass says firefighters may have a chance to contain more blazes.

“At this point I don’t see that trough, that lightning coming in yet. But it’s probably just a matter of time,” Mass said.

---

The weekly KPLU feature "Weather with Cliff Mass" airs every Friday at 9 a.m. immediately following BirdNote, and twice on Friday afternoons during All Things Considered. The feature is hosted by KPLU Environment Reporter Bellamy Pailthorp. Cliff Mass is a University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, a renowned Seattle weather prognosticator, and a popular weather blogger. You can also subscribe to a podcast of “Weather with Cliff Mass” shows.

Bellamy Pailthorp covers the environment for KNKX with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. She enjoys reporting about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities. Story tips can be sent to bpailthorp@knkx.org.