July is looking like a very hot month for the Northwest

It’s been a torrid start to July across the western U.S. Many locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Idaho have reported high temperatures over the 100-degree mark last week. More than 50 cities broke records in early July. Some of the hottest places included Las Vegas with a high of 120 degrees July 7. Since July 3, highs in Las Vegas have been over 110 degrees. In Death Valley, Calif., scorching highs of over 120 degrees were felt since July 3. Their hottest afternoon in Death Valley was reported July 7 with an incredible 129-degree reading, which was only five degrees off from tying the all-time world record of 134 degrees.

 It's also been blistering hot in Portland, Ore. On July 5 and 6, the high temperature was 99 degrees, but July 7, the mercury hit the 100-degree mark. In fact, it was 102 degrees in Portland on July 8 and 104 degrees July 9. High temperatures came close to 100 degrees in Seattle with a high of 98 degrees July 9.

More intense heat was reported at the Spokane International Airport. From July 8-10, highs were at or over 100 degrees, which were all record-breakers. On July 8, it was 100 degrees, with a 102-degree temperature July 9, climbing to 104 degrees Wednesday. The thermometer hit 99 degrees last Saturday.

Thursday was one of the hottest days during this heatwave in Idaho. It was 108 degrees at Lewiston. Many other locations reported highs near 105 degrees. However, despite breaking a record for the date Wednesday, Coeur d’Alene had a high of 102 degrees. Post Falls and Athol also reported 102 degrees with 101 degrees at Kellogg.

Since July 5, highs in Coeur d’Alene have been at or above 90 degrees. Highs on July 1 and 2 in Coeur d’Alene were in the upper 70s. Despite four days below 90 degrees, the average high for the first 11 days of July has been 91 degrees, which also includes the 101-degree reading July 9. Over the last week, the average high temperature in Coeur d’Alene has been 95 degrees with more 90-heat expected this week. In fact, more 100-degree temperatures may be reported in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene regions later this week.

The western high-pressure system is expected to weaken later this month to allow for some cooling, but it does look the overall pattern for July will be hot and dry with plenty more 90-degree-plus days in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions. The last rainfall of any consequence was the .21 inches that fell June 27. On June 30, Cliff measured 0.03 inches. So far, July 2024 has been completely dry, with very little moisture expected, despite the possibility of a few thunderstorms later this week. It’s possible that Coeur d’Alene will end up with practically no moisture this month, but some of the monsoonal moisture from the Desert Southwest could eventually work its way northward and bring us a few showers or afternoon thunderstorms toward the end of the month.

As I mentioned last week, the drier and hotter-than-normal weather pattern is expected to continue into early to mid-August. With the transition of sea-surface temperatures cooling from the current “La Nada,” to the potentially cooler La Niña in the coming months, there is a chance that our region will start turning wetter and cooler later in August or September.

In the meantime, more 90-degree-plus weather is expected. Before the summer season ends, we could see at least 30 days in Coeur d’Alene with highs in the 90s.

The last torrid summer season our region endured occurred in 2021. From June through early September of that year, there were a total of 45 days with highs at or above 90 degrees. There were also seven days with readings topping the 100-degree mark. The hot temperatures began June 10 with a high of 90 degrees and the last 90-degree day was Sept. 1. This was also the same year we had the incredible late June heatwave that tied or broke all-time records. During that torrid summer, there were 22 days in a row with highs in the 90s or higher. That occurred from June 24 through Monday.

In July 2021, there were 25 days with reading in the 90s in Coeur d’Alene. The average high temperature that month was a very hot 92 degrees. With this month showing more hot weather, there is a chance we could surpass the July 2021 reading. Stay tuned.

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Contact Randy Mann at randy@longrangeweather.com.