Normal August Ahead - Hot And Dry

Ironically, July’s heat wave is apparently being caused by a dramatic cooling of the Pacific Ocean this summer.

Professor Bob Quinn of Eastern Washington University said the coldwater phenomenon known as La Nina has brought hot, dry summers to the Inland Northwest when it has happened in the past.

La Nina, a cooling of waters along the equator, is the reverse of last winter’s El Nino.

A computer analysis from the National Weather Service calls for at least normal temperatures for the next month, but a normal August in the Inland Northwest is hot and dry.

“I personally think August is going to continue with above-normal temperatures,” said Quinn, an expert in the relationship between ocean temperatures and weather.

So far, there have been 15 days of 90 degrees or more this month. Sunday was the first time the thermometer broke 100 degrees in four years.

Frequently, summers pass in Spokane without the temperature ever breaking 100.

The all-time high was 108 degrees in 1961. Monday’s high of 103 was the hottest day in 26 years, but did not set a record for July 27. That was 106 in 1943.

Records were set Monday in Ephrata and Wenatchee, which both recorded 108 degrees. Pullman also hit a record for July 27 with 99.

Near triple-digit heat is expected to continue until at least Thursday when cooler air should arrive. Highs are forecast for the upper-90s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lows should be in the upper 60s.