Unrelenting heat-fueled drought to continue plaguing West
By
Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Oct 1, 2020 5:50 AM EST
Other than some rain which brought brief relief to the Pacific Northwest late last week, much of the West has seen persistent and consistent heat and drought for the last several months. Unfortunately, the pattern is stuck on repeat, and it is unlikely to change any time soon.
For much of the summer and now into the early fall, the pattern has largely been dominated by a heat dome and area of high pressure in the West.
Since high pressure causes sinking air which warms and dries out as it sinks, this does not allow clouds to develop since the air is not rising. With sunshine and warm air, rain does not fall and temperatures are well above normal. Several locations have already set records this week, and more fell on Wednesday.
Additional records were set on Thursday, and more could fall on Friday.
Phoenix recorded its 134th day at or above 100 degrees on Thursday. This is the second most 100-degree days in a year. The record is 143 days in 1989, and the city will be closing in on that record with triple digits in the forecast through at least early next week.
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Las Vegas has not seen measurable rain in 164 days. This has already shattered the previous record of 150 days set between Feb. 22, 1959, and July 21, 1959. The last time the city has measurable rain was on April 20, when 0.20 of an inch fell. This streak is likely to continue right through at least all of next week.
Phoenix and Las Vegas are just two examples of the record-setting heat and lack of rain that have been a staple in the West. The heat and drought have also contributed to dozens of wildfires across the region as well.
In addition to heat and drought being factors in the wildfires, strong and erratic winds can fan existing flames and cause new fires to start as embers from existing fires get carried by the wind and spark new blazes. Furthermore, the wind dries the brush out quickly. Through the end of the week, the most likely location for strong winds will be Southern California. However, no extreme wind events are expected for the next several days.
The lack of rain is expected to continue through the entire West through at least Wednesday and likely beyond.
There is a chance of much lower temperatures, higher humidity levels, clouds and perhaps rain along the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California late next week to next weekend.
"How much and how fast the cooler and wetter pattern evolves will depend on how much the jet stream shifts later next week," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"There is even the chance that some tropical moisture from a diminished Marie could become involved," Sosnowski added.
At least there is some hope instead of the constant bad news from the weather department in the longer range.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Weather Forecasts
Unrelenting heat-fueled drought to continue plaguing West
By Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Oct 1, 2020 5:50 AM EST
Other than some rain which brought brief relief to the Pacific Northwest late last week, much of the West has seen persistent and consistent heat and drought for the last several months. Unfortunately, the pattern is stuck on repeat, and it is unlikely to change any time soon.
For much of the summer and now into the early fall, the pattern has largely been dominated by a heat dome and area of high pressure in the West.
Since high pressure causes sinking air which warms and dries out as it sinks, this does not allow clouds to develop since the air is not rising. With sunshine and warm air, rain does not fall and temperatures are well above normal. Several locations have already set records this week, and more fell on Wednesday.
Additional records were set on Thursday, and more could fall on Friday.
Phoenix recorded its 134th day at or above 100 degrees on Thursday. This is the second most 100-degree days in a year. The record is 143 days in 1989, and the city will be closing in on that record with triple digits in the forecast through at least early next week.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Las Vegas has not seen measurable rain in 164 days. This has already shattered the previous record of 150 days set between Feb. 22, 1959, and July 21, 1959. The last time the city has measurable rain was on April 20, when 0.20 of an inch fell. This streak is likely to continue right through at least all of next week.
Phoenix and Las Vegas are just two examples of the record-setting heat and lack of rain that have been a staple in the West. The heat and drought have also contributed to dozens of wildfires across the region as well.
Related:
In addition to heat and drought being factors in the wildfires, strong and erratic winds can fan existing flames and cause new fires to start as embers from existing fires get carried by the wind and spark new blazes. Furthermore, the wind dries the brush out quickly. Through the end of the week, the most likely location for strong winds will be Southern California. However, no extreme wind events are expected for the next several days.
The lack of rain is expected to continue through the entire West through at least Wednesday and likely beyond.
There is a chance of much lower temperatures, higher humidity levels, clouds and perhaps rain along the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California late next week to next weekend.
"How much and how fast the cooler and wetter pattern evolves will depend on how much the jet stream shifts later next week," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"There is even the chance that some tropical moisture from a diminished Marie could become involved," Sosnowski added.
At least there is some hope instead of the constant bad news from the weather department in the longer range.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo