It’s been chilly here, but very hot in other parts of the U.S.

The amazingly chilly spring weather across the northwestern U.S. has continued past the middle of June. Based on the records since 1895, this is the coolest spring in Coeur d’Alene’s history. Since the spring season began on March 20, the average high temperature in Coeur d’Alene has been around 59 degrees. According to Cliff’s records, the last time the spring was this chilly was in 1950 with an average high of 63.1 degrees.

Just within the last week, conditions have been very extreme. On June 13, our high was only 47 degrees, well below the normal of 73 degrees on that date and a record low maximum. We also picked up a record-breaking 1.56 inches of rainfall on that date, which was the second-highest daily June total in history. The wettest June day was back in 1964 on June 8, with a whopping 1.81 inches. The storm system was also cold enough that snow was reported on the higher mountains.

By the way, that same storm also brought record flooding and rockslides to Yellowstone National Park resulting in the park’s rare closure of all five entrances. Floodwaters were reported to be the highest in more than a century as they washed out bridges, roads and swept away homes.

The June of this year is certainly very different to the one of a year ago. For example, on June 2, 2021, the high was 95 degrees in Coeur d’Alene, the first 90-degree day of the season. In 2022, the high was 78 degrees on June 2.

Amazingly, we haven’t hit the 80-degree mark, but the long-range computer models are showing a bit of a change in the weather pattern with warmer weather and less rainfall. As we get toward the end of the month, I believe there’s a good chance we’ll see some 80-degree temperatures in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions. One of the forecast computer models was hinting that highs may come close to 90 degrees before June comes to an end. At this stage, I think we’ll at least see some 80s, but in this crazy cycle, anything is possible.

In June of 2021, who can forget the intense heatwave over the Inland Northwest. There were five days with highs over 100 degrees in Coeur d’Alene, topping at 107 degrees at Cliff’s station on June 29. On that date, the Spokane International Airport had its hottest day ever recorded with a blistering high of 109 degrees. That beat the old record of 108 degrees set back on August 4, 1961, the same day Coeur d’Alene hit its all-time record high of 109 degrees. What a difference a year makes.

While our region has been shivering with the chilly conditions, it’s been a very different story in other parts of the U.S. On June 10, an intense heatwave over the southwestern U.S. sent highs over the 100-degree mark into Northern California. Death Valley’s high on that date soared to a sweltering 123 degrees, which broke the old record of 120 degrees set back in 1994. As I’ve mentioned in other columns, Death Valley holds the record for the world’s hottest temperature. On July 10, 1913, the mercury hit 134.1 degrees. Since we’re already seeing record highs in this area, I wouldn’t be surprised if the all-time record world temperature is challenged this summer.

That particular heatwave also tied or broke records in the southwestern U.S. Phoenix, Ariz., hit 114 degrees on June 11, tying the record set in 1918. Las Vegas topped out at 109 degrees and Denver, Colo., hit 100 degrees, tying the daily record and the earliest day the city reached 100 degrees.

It's also been extremely hot in the nation’s midsection as over 100 million Americans were advised to stay indoors from the record-breaking heatwave last week. It was so hot that thousands of cattle in Kansas suddenly died due to heat stress. High temperatures have been near 100 degrees from Texas northward into the Dakotas and the June heatwave also extended eastward into the Southeast as highs in parts of Georgia also went above the 100-degree mark. In addition to the heat, higher humidity levels have made conditions almost unbearable for millions of people. Government statistics show that intense heat has resulted in about 1,300 deaths per year in the U.S., which is more than tornadoes, hurricanes and other weather-related disasters.

Here in North Idaho, as we move into July and August, Cliff and I do expect to see a period of hot and dry weather across our region. However, this summer may not be as long as in previous years as the upcoming fall season may turn out to be a little wetter and cooler than normal, especially if the cooler than normal sea-surface temperature event, La Nina, holds on to life in the south-central Pacific Ocean.

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Contact Randy Mann at randy@longrangeweather.com