Weekend Off to a Cool Start, but a Hot Ending.

Temperatures this weekend will be very warm; in fact, we could be near record levels this coming Sunday when afternoon temperatures will be near the 90 degree mark. Those extremely warm temperatures together with very low humidity levels and gusty S to SW winds will also create an enhanced fire danger situation once again. Guess that really should not be any surprise as we have been dealing with drought, burn bans, and elevated fire danger situations since early Spring.

And, if you look at the map on the right which shows the departure from normal precipitation that is expected over the next two weeks, it is obvious that we do not have much in the way of significant rainfall coming our way anytime soon. In the short term, we do have a slight chance of showers and possibly some thunder late Monday and into the overnight hours when a stronger cold front will be arriving, but that will not do much to alleviate the ongoing drought. Another rapidly moving system may produce a slight chance of rain late Thursday into the Friday time frame, but it does not appear to be a very wet system either.

So, our forecast is largely a temperature forecast and as mentioned, this weekend will be quite warm. That is despite the fact that we will get off to a cool start Saturday morning when temperatures will be in the 40s for the most part. A return to light southerly winds and abundant sunshine should get us back into the lower 80s for most locations by afternoon. Sunday will see gusty S to SW winds, lots of sunshine, a humidity level dropping into the 20% range, and as mentioned temperatures near record levels for this time of year. That all adds up to a recipe for wildfires to easily get out of hand.

Monday will also be quite warm, but the cold front that will arrive by Monday night promises to be followed by the coolest air of the season. Gusty NW winds and clearing skies on Tuesday will be followed by morning lows for Wed and Thu mornings that could see some 30s and the possibility of frost or even a light freeze for some of the normally cooler valley locations.

And, unfortunately, no drought busting rains are anywhere in sight as yet.

So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot