Summer 2022 expected to be warm and dry

SEATTLE — Editor’s word: The above video on Washington state taking many preventative measures towards wildfires initially aired February 23, 2022.

Final summer season was one to recollect and one for the document books for western Washington.

The stretch of triple-digit warmth shattered many information and set the brand new all-time hottest temperature on document for the state of Washington. Hanford, Wash. hit a scorching 120 levels.

Coming off of the record-setting summer season of 2021, many are questioning if western Washington can count on one other summer season of above-average temperatures or a repeat of the excessive warmth extremes.

Washington State Climatologist Dr. Nick Bond says that is unlikely. 

“It is vital to emphasise {that a} heatwave of the severity that occurred final summer season is very unlikely,” mentioned Bond.

Even with heatwaves rising in frequency and depth in western Washington in the course of the summer season months, a repeat within the severity of final summer season’s heatwave is unlikely over the subsequent decade or two in keeping with Bond.

Whereas a repeat of final summer season shouldn’t be anticipated, a summer season that includes above-average temperatures with below-average precipitation seems to be within the works.

“The upcoming summer season is anticipated to be on the nice and cozy and dry aspect relative to long-term historic norms,” mentioned Bond.

The prediction of above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation from Bond is closely based mostly on a consensus of the seasonal local weather fashions together with observations over a few a long time.

The newest summer season outlook from the Local weather Prediction Heart (CPC) printed this month sides with the chances being in favor of temperatures being above common for a lot of western Washington.

Coastal Washington has equal possibilities for above-average or below-average temperatures in keeping with this outlook.

The outlook from the CPC additionally suggests elevated odds for below-average precipitation for all of western Washington this summer season.

Coming off of an energetic, cooler April, this has allowed the snowpack to extend for the mountains. The present snowpack for the Olympics and Cascades is above common.

This improve within the snowpack will assist initially curve the hearth hazard. 

“The cool and moist climate helps us maintain on to our snowpack and assist stop an early begin to the hearth season,” mentioned Bond.

The newest report on the snowpack for the state of Washington reveals the Olympics and Cascades are well-positioned to carry onto among the snowpack deeper into the nice and cozy months because of the present above-average snowfall.

Because of the current heavy snowfall, some native ski resorts are extending the season into Might.

Crystal Mountain introduced they’re extending the ski season by way of Might 30 as a consequence of over 5 ft of recent snow in April, which is among the deepest spring snowfalls on document for the mountain.

With the forecast calling for hotter and drier situations this summer season, the snowpack will inevitably soften away. This might rapidly kick the hearth season into full gear particularly close to the tip of the upcoming summer season, in keeping with Bond, regardless of the attainable slower begin to the hearth season because of the current precipitation.

The hearth seasons over the previous few a long time have grown more and more violent and longer in length for the western United States.

The newest information from Local weather Central signifies the West, together with components of Washington, has skilled a rise in hearth climate days. This implies the hearth season is turning into prolonged for components of Washington.

That is significantly regarding given the CPC’s temperatures and precipitation outlook suggesting the anomalously heat and dry situations by way of the summer season, extending into the upcoming fall for western Washington.

Whereas we’re weeks away from sizzling temperatures, listed below are some good suggestions to assist your loved ones and also you keep cool within the heat days forward.

Within the meantime, benefit from the cooler temperatures. The CPC suggests temperatures will probably be under common for western Washington over the subsequent few weeks.