All-time record heat for many locations in June

The astronomical summer season has barely begun, and we’ve already had record amounts of heat across parts of the globe. However, here in the Inland Northwest, our June temperatures have not been near as warm. Despite the chilly record low maximum reading of 57 degrees June 20, Coeur d’Alene’s average high temperature last month was approximately 79 degrees, which was about 4 degrees above June’s normal. Our hottest afternoon last month in Coeur d’Alene was 91 degrees June 7.

In terms of precipitation, the first 10 days of June had a total of 0.50 inches at Cliff’s station. After June 10, moisture was not as plentiful as we only picked up an additional 0.45 inches for a total of 0.95 inches. The normal June precipitation is 1.93 inches, so we were less than half of normal.

At the Spokane International Airport, the total precipitation for June was 0.86 inches. Their normal rainfall for June is 1.16 inches. Their average or mean temperature for last month was around 66 degrees, also near 4 degrees above normal.

Although the Inland Northwest was warmer than usual last month, there were other parts of the world that experienced all-time record heat. One region that sweltered was Siberia, a place mostly known for its extreme cold. On June 3, dozens of heat records fell as high temperatures were near or above the 100-degree mark, a very unusual event. One of the hottest readings recorded on that date in Russia was 100.9 degrees at Kurgan, located in the southern part of Siberia. Other nearby stations reported their hottest temperature ever recorded June 3.

Another scorching heatwave was felt in India earlier in June before the rain and cooler temperatures moved into the area during the last weekend of the month. According to a CNN article, the northern state in India called Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 220 million, reported extreme temperatures as high as 116 degrees.

The heat was practically unbearable in southeastern Asia as well. Typically, April and May are the hottest times of the year before the monsoon season brings relief in June. However, according to another CNN article, countries like Thailand and Vietnam had almost continuous record-breaking heat in April and May. For example, it was a record 114 degrees Fahrenheit in Thailand on April 15, and it was 110 degrees in Laos, a country near Thailand. Vietnam soared to a whopping 112 degrees in April, only to hit 111 degrees June 1. The heat was described as the “most brutal and never-ending” in the region’s history.

Another historic heatwave gripped northeastern China last month. On June 22, my 60th birthday, Beijing soared to a record June high of 106 degrees. An article from the Guardian stated that the last time China was close to that temperature was back in 2014. Another city in this region, Dagang, had its hottest day ever recorded on that June afternoon of 107 degrees. The region finally got some relief from the heat at the end of last month.

Many of us probably heard about the extreme heat in Texas and Mexico. It was the third straight week in this state with record-setting heat. On June 21, Rio Grande Village in the Lone Star State reported one of the state’s highest temperatures in recorded history. On that sweltering afternoon, it was an unbelievable 119 degrees. The highest temperature ever observed in Texas was 120 degrees. McAllen, Texas observed 16 days in a row with highs above 100 degrees. Three was some minor relief, but more 100-degree heat was expected in McAllen over the weekend.

Many stations in Mexico also soared above 110 degrees last month. One of the highest readings was a sweltering 117 degrees.

In terms of our local weather, we’re expecting some 90-degree temperatures later this week in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding locations. The long-range computer models are showing more very warm to hot afternoon temperatures across the Inland Northwest over the next several weeks as a strong high-pressure system dominates. Toward the middle of the month, we may see some relief along with some scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Weather patterns seem to be responding to the change in sea-surface temperatures along the equatorial regions. In early June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officially declared a new El Niño. The Australian forecasters are likely to officially acknowledge a new El Niño very shortly.

Sophisticated computer models are indicating that we will likely have at least a “moderate” El Niño event with the possibility of a strong one by late in the year. Many are also predicting that the new El Niño will last through at least the winter of 2023-24. Typically, during El Niño events, especially strong ones, the northern U.S. turns drier than normal with much less snow than average during the winter season. Much of California and the southern U.S., however, will often turn much wetter with flooding rains seen in Southern California.

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Contact Randy Mann at randy@longrangeweather.com.