Rain gives way to sunshine, heat in the Inland Northwest
We’re finally seeing the weather pattern that’s providing lots of sunshine and warm afternoon temperatures to the Inland Empire. Around the end of this week, highs are expected to be near the 90-degree mark in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area.
Last month was certainly cool and wet in our region. At Spokane International Airport, the average monthly temperature was only 59.1 degrees, which was 2.5 degrees below normal. Based on mean temperatures, the coolest day in June was the 16th. The high was only 52 degrees with a low of 46 degrees. The average reading on that day was a whopping 13 degrees below normal. By contrast, the warmest day last month was 83 degrees on the 28th.
Rainfall amounts for June were well above normal across much of the Inland Empire. At the airport, 2.56 inches of moisture fell. The normal precipitation last month was 1.18 inches. Heavier rainfall was observed in Coeur d’Alene. The Idaho city finished June with 4.63 inches of precipitation for the month, second only to the 5.09 inches of rain that was gauged in 1947.
The wetter-than-normal spring has also created planting problems for farmers in Canada. Millions of acres of crops in the western half of Canada won’t be planted this cool, soggy 2010 season due to record rains and cool temperatures. June 20th marked the “point of no return” for seeding operations for many farmers north of the border.
In the Minnedosa region of southwestern Manitoba, as much as 30 percent of the cropland will not get seeded. However, a cover crop may be planted for feeding purposes, if things dry out and warm up by early July under an expanded ridge of high pressure.
Significant rains have also cut 2010 plantings across northwestern Canada this spring and early summer. At least 10 percent of the fields are still flooded, appearing more like lakes than fields.
Canada is the leading global producer of canola and spring wheat. The country is second only to Russia in oat production.
In our region, much hotter weather is expected near the full moon in late July. High temperatures will likely soar well into the 90s in Spokane and surrounding areas. Don’t be too surprised to see readings hit or even top the 100-degree mark at that time. Another round of very hot weather may be observed around late August. Stay tuned.