El Nino continues to strengthen

For many months, we have been featuring the strengthening El Nino in the waters of the south-central Pacific Ocean. According to the World Meteorological Organization and other major forecasters, ocean waters in this region, and especially along the Equator, are expected to increase to above record levels over the next several months.

A very active Pacific hurricane season

It’s been a “tale of two oceans” this summer and early fall season. As of the weekend, there have now been 20 named storms in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, including 10 hurricanes. Eight of those hurricanes were a Category 3 or higher, which is classified as a “major.”

There was another big volcanic eruption earlier this month

As reported in previous articles, there are over 1,500 active volcanoes around the Earth with an average of 50-70 eruptions per year. According to VolcanoDiscovery.com, as of the weekend, there are over 40 volcanoes that are currently erupting. Active volcanoes have occasionally wrecked airline travel plans. Mostly recently, another eruption in Indonesia resulted in flight delays and cancellations.

No hurricanes thus far in the Atlantic and Carribean waters

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, we currently have a warmer than normal sea-surface temperature event, El Nino, in the south-central Pacific Ocean. According to the latest U.S. Climate Prediction Center outlook and discussion, ocean waters are above average levels across the east-central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Wildfire history

Dangers of flash floods

World rivers are getting drier

As mentioned last week, the summer of 2026 has been one of wide extremes with drought, heat, wildfires and floods across the Northern Hemisphere. The long-term lack of precipitation across many regions in the U.S., especially in the Southwest, along in other parts of the world, has led to significant drying of major rivers.

More global extremes in July

July 2026 will be remembered as another month of wild weather extremes across the United States and around the world. During the month, record-breaking heat was observed along with destructive flooding, severe thunderstorms, wildfires, drought, and unusually warm oceans, thanks to the evolving new El Nino.

Spokane’s fire history

It’s been a tough and disastrous wildfire season for the U.S. and other parts of the world. The recent wildfire outbreak in Spokane is now the worst disaster for this area in modern history. As of the weekend, three major blazes have consumed more than 10,000 acres and destroyed nearly 1,000 structures that include homes, barns, outbuildings and sheds. More than 60,000 people had to be evacuated when the blazes broke out.

Warmer oceans likely prevent global droughts

As I’ve reported in many articles, sea-surface temperatures have been warming in recent decades. This warming may be linked to extreme weather conditions across the globe. However, this trend of shifting ocean temperature patterns simultaneously could be acting as a natural phenomenon to prevent planet-wide agricultural catastrophes.

A new picture of Earth’s ‘mini moon’

For centuries, people believed that the Moon was Earth’s only natural satellite. While this remains true for permanent moons, such as ours, astronomers have discovered in recent years that Earth occasionally acquires tiny temporary companions known as mini moons. These small asteroids are briefly captured by Earth's gravity, orbit the planet for a limited time, and eventually escape back into orbit around the Sun.

'Doublet' earthquakes

Last week, earthquake activity made international headlines as two major earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 23. There was also one that measured 6.9 in eastern Japan and a 5.6 that was measured about 7 miles from Willits, in northwestern California on June 25. There were also seven other earthquakes last week that were at least a 5 magnitude that were reported in New Zealand, Russia, South Pacific, Brazil and New Guinea.

Fire watches and warnings

Conditions across the Inland Northwest continue to be drier than normal. For the first half of June, only 0.15 inches of rain has fallen at Cliff Harris’s station in Coeur d’Alene with 0.18 inches in Spokane. The normal June precipitation for Coeur d’Alene is 1.93 inches, and based on the long-term forecast charts, it looks like another month with below normal precipitation.

The 2026 hurricane season officially begins soon

The official start of the 2026 tropical storm and hurricane season is right around the corner, and many forecasters are predicting a year with below normal named storms and hurricanes. The latest information from NOAA’s National Weather Service is predicting a 35% chance of a near-normal season with only a 10% chance of named storms being above average. With the expected formation of a new El Niño, and perhaps a “super El Niño,” the chances are about 55% of a below normal tropical storm and hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean waters.

A monster El Nino may be on the horizon

A new forecast from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is that a “super El Nino” is likely late this year, perhaps starting in October. The odds are about 65% that this new warm water phenomenon will be one of the strongest in recorded history as sea-surface temperatures would be at least 3.6 degrees above normal.

More lightning facts

Conditions across the Inland Northwest are expected to dry with warm afternoon temperatures this week. However, May is one of the months we will experience thunderstorm activity with lightning. Despite great progress in its understanding and behavior, lightning is still one of the more mysterious natural phenomena.

Strong tornadoes hitting the central U.S.

Tornado season in the U.S., especially in the southern Great Plains, is in full swing despite reporting drought conditions. On April 23, an EF4 twister went through Enid, Oklahoma, the largest tornado reported so far this year. The town is about 85 miles north of Oklahoma City. Over three dozen homes were damaged or destroyed and the tornado also damaged Vance Air Force Base.

Warm temperatures and drought across the country

How an El Nino is determined

Earlier this year, we were in the middle of a weak La Nina event, which is the cooler than normal sea-surface temperature phenomenon in the south-central Pacific Ocean. The latest observations are indicating that La Nina is weakening rapidly and now heading toward “neutral” conditions, or in-between cooler La Nina and the warmer El Nino. The neutral condition has also been referred to as a “La Nada.”

Coeur d’Alene’s microclimates

I’ve recently received a few emails asking about the different types of climates and their effects here in North Idaho. Our region is well-known for its many lakes, mountains and valleys and has a variety of different “microclimates” within a relatively small area.

Could we see a strong El Nino this year?

Spring is starting with more wild extremes

Wind and snow

It was certainly a wild week weatherwise across the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane region. On Thursday, March 12, a second round of very strong winds since last December knocked out power and downed some areas trees.

Thunderstorms may eventually become more predictable

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, there are over 40,000 thunderstorms forming every day across the globe. That’s nearly 1,700 per hour. For an entire year, it’s estimated that our planet will receive approximately 14.6 million thunderstorms.

There may be a new ‘Tornado alley’

For many years, we have associated the most dangerous tornadoes in a region known as “Tornado Alley,” a large region of the Great Plains that includes the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. This area earned that reputation for severe weather because it often experiences the perfect mix of warm, moist air from the Gulf of America (Mexico), dry air from the desert Southwest, and cool air from Canada. When these air masses collide, powerful thunderstorms can form, sometimes producing violent tornadoes. However, in recent years, scientists have observed a noticeable shift in where tornadoes most frequently occur. This shift has led to growing discussion about what some researchers call the “New Tornado Alley.”

Avalanches are making headlines

Over the recent weeks, it has been reported that the western U.S. has been in the middle of a snow drought. However, conditions recently changed, especially in the mountains of California. Several feet of fresh and unstable snow hit the Sierra Nevada mountains in California early last week. A group of people on a backcountry skiing adventure got caught in the state’s deadliest avalanche in modern history. There have also been deadly avalanches recently reported in Utah and a string of avalanches in Austria due to heavy snowfall.

More ground uplift at Yellowstone

Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve featured numerous articles about the Yellowstone supervolcano. We know that it is located practically in our backyard and any changes related to hydrothermal or ground movement will attract some media attention.

Cold in the east with snow drought in the west

The infamous “polar vortex” did lead to some very frigid and snowy weather across the U.S. east of the Rockies. At the end of January and the first few days of February, very cold weather gripped the Southeast down into Florida. For example, the Tampa-St. Petersburg area had snow flurries with temperatures dropping into the lower 20s on Feb. 1.

Strange winter phenomenon

Snow across the Inland Northwest has not been plentiful this season, despite the formation of a new La Niña in the waters of the south-central Pacific Ocean.

Record storms in other parts of the world

Last week, residents in Russia’s Far East were buried by the heaviest snow in about 60 years. The snow and very cold weather moved across Asia last Tuesday, which brought rare snowfalls to China.

Astronomical events of 2026

This year promises to be a spectacular one for skywatchers, offering an exceptional mix of planetary alignments, eclipses, comets and meteor showers.

Death Valley's extreme conditions

Death Valley is one of the most famous desert regions in North America. It currently holds the official world record for the hottest temperature, which is 134 degrees Fahrenheit, that was recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. It’s so hot that summer temperatures will often soar above 120 degrees in the shade, with low temperatures in the 90s.

Some extreme weather of 2025

January of 2025 started out to be a tough month across much of Canada the U.S. east of the Rockies. It was the coldest January across most of North America in about 10 years.

Worldwide New Year's Day weather extremes

Last week, I featured some extreme weather events on Christmas Day. With the start of the New Year, here are some extreme weather records that occurred on Jan. 1 across the country.

Could we see a La Niña and El Niño in the same year?

A new La Niña was declared by forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) in October and by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology several weeks ago.

The sun continues to emit strong storms

Our sun continues to make news headlines as we’re still in a strong solar cycle that has generated numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CMEs are a large release of plasma and accompanying magnetic field from the sun’s outer layer of its atmosphere. They will often follow solar flares and be released into the solar wind.

Ever hear of a 'snownado?'

We’ve all heard about tornadoes and the devastation they can cause. In fact, more than 100 structures were damaged in the Houston, Texas, region Nov. 24 when at least one twister touched down. Several confirmed tornadoes were reported in Texas, with one in Mississippi. Wind gusts in the region were up to 115 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Thanksgiving weather history and the polar vortex

Thanksgiving is this Thursday, Nov. 27, and there is a good possibility of some rain and snow across the region. The holiday has been observed every fourth Thursday since 1942, so has been as early as Nov. 22 and as late as Nov. 28.

The strange phenomenon of Earth's gravity anomalies

We don’t often think about gravity, the invisible force that anchors us to Earth, as it always seems constant and dependable. However, it will slightly vary, sometimes by enough to make you weigh slightly more or less, depending on where you stand. These variations are called gravity anomalies and come from differences in the density and structure of the materials that are beneath our feet.

Frostbite versus hypothermia

Frigid weather is plunging down into the central and eastern portions of the country this week, with freezing temperatures likely in the Deep South. Despite December-like conditions in this part of the country, climatologist Cliff Harris and I don’t see extremely cold temperatures across the Inland Northwest in the immediate future.

Hurricane Melissa: A record-breaking hurricane

We all heard about the catastrophic hurricane that slammed into Jamaica last week. Hurricane Melissa rewrote the record books when it made landfall Oct. 28, near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica.

The long dry spell is breaking

After seven months in a row with below normal precipitation in Coeur d’Alene and much of the Inland Northwest, weather patterns have now turned toward the wetter side. As of the weekend, close to 3 inches of rain has fallen at Cliff’s station this month. Our normal moisture total for October in Coeur d’Alene is 2.22 inches.

Our city-by-city winter of 2025-26 snowfall predictions

Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and the surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.

La Niña and comets

A new La Niña has arrived, according to forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center. Sea-surface temperatures near the West Coast of South America and along the equatorial regions are now cooler than normal as La Niña conditions were indicated beginning last month. Based on the current predictions, this new La Niña is expected to persist at least through February 2026.

Freezes after a warm September?

We’re coming into the time of year when local gardeners will have to start monitoring the weather more closely, as our region will eventually be heading toward freezing temperatures. It’s almost hard to believe that we’re talking about readings dropping into the low 30s when last month was one of the warmest Septembers in recorded history.

Ever heard of the Fujiwhara effect?

In previous articles, I have mentioned many different types and names of meteorological phenomena. There is another one that began to come up in the news media called the Fujiwhara effect. This occurs when two storm systems, such as tropical cyclones, hurricanes or even mid-latitude low-pressure systems, interact with one another. When they get close enough, these storms can engage in a kind of “atmospheric dance,” orbiting around a common center, altering each other’s paths and even merging into one bigger storm.

Earth may have another moon ... sort of

Earth is the only planet in our solar system with a single moon, making it a rare phenomenon for a planet of its kind.

Canadian wildfires linked to deaths in North America and Europe

The Canadian wildfire season of 2025 has now been labelled as the second-worst in the country’s history. So far, over 18 million acres of land have burned across Canada. Smoke from the wildfires has once again spread southward into the U.S., resulting in much higher air quality levels and increased health issues.

A record-breaking early September

Last week was the hottest early September period in Coeur d’Alene’s history, dating back to 1895. The first three days of the month had temperatures at or above 100 degrees at Cliff’s station. Two of the three days were record-breakers as a sizzling 103 degrees was reported Sept. 2.

Some volcanic history and a new study

One of the topics I will often feature in this column is volcanic activity. Last week marked the 142nd anniversary of the massive eruption of Krakatoa. This explosion was one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history.

Titanic new moons

Many of us have heard the term “blue moon,” which refers to two full moons during a single month. Thanks to astronomy enthusiasts and journalists, when there are two new moons during the same month, it’s referred to as a “black moon,” which occurred Friday night.

La Niña and hurricanes

As of the middle of August, there have been five named storms in the Atlantic and Caribbean waters.

The most turbulent routes on Earth

We’re still in the maximum period of summer air traffic. During this time of year, thunderstorms are more widespread east of the Rockies and other parts of the world.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

The last week of July 2025 was big news for earthquakes. Last Wednesday, a super strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake was reported near Russia’s eastern shores. It was near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, and west of the Aleutian Islands. The earthquake tied for the eighth strongest recorded and the largest since 2011. Since the big earthquake, dozens of aftershocks have been reported, with one having a magnitude as high as 6.9.

Animals are not leaving Yellowstone

The Yellowstone supervolcano has been making headlines in recent weeks. There have been videos and comments circulating on major social media platforms about large numbers of wildlife leaving Yellowstone National Park. Comments on these videos have stated that the supervolcano may be on the verge of a major eruption and the “animals know something we don’t.”

The Earth is having shorter days

Our planet has been spinning a little faster than usual and this trend is expected to continue into early August. On July 9, it’s estimated that the day was about 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds shorter, based on the planet’s rotation.

Drought and floods across the U.S.

Summer flooding has been making headlines as scientists are claiming those disasters have been historical rainfall events. The tragic flood in Central Texas in early July is one of the worst flooding disasters in modern history.

Dry weather across the globe

The summer of 2025 has been very warm to hot across much of the western U.S. Here in Coeur d’Alene, we’ve already had six days with high temperatures at or above the 90-degree mark. Our hottest day was 96 degrees July 1.

Heat versus cold

With the summer season in full swing, we’re hearing about the extremely hot weather across the U.S., especially in the eastern portion of the country. June was a warmer-than-average month across the Inland Northwest.

It was a very dry spring of 2025

The first day of summer arrived Friday, June 20, at 4:42 p.m. On that day, the sun angle was the highest in the sky and the Northern Hemisphere experienced the highest number of daylight hours.

Ghost hurricanes and weather models

In recent decades, there has been a lot of progress with weather forecasting based on numerical predictions. However, when forecasting tropical storms such as hurricanes, numerical forecast models will occasionally predict the formation of tropical systems that don’t evolve. These are called “ghost hurricanes” or “ghost storms.”

Volcanic eruptions and a new method for prediction

Over the last month, volcanic eruptions have once again made headlines across the globe. One of the most active volcanoes in the world is Italy’s Mount Etna, and it has a very explosive history over the last 500,000 years.

Canada is already having another bad wildfire season

It’s looking like another disastrous wildfire season across Canada. As of the last weekend of May, news outlets are reporting that the country was battling around 175 wildfires, with nearly 100 of them that were uncontained.

Our strong solar cycle may have peaked

Our sun has been recently making news headlines as we’re still in a strong solar cycle that has generated numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

The latest with the San Andreas Fault

Last week, there were reports that a series of small earthquakes were recorded in California that generated a few news headlines. The state is notorious for earthquake activity. It’s estimated that California experiences approximately 50 earthquakes per day, but most are so small, they are usually not felt.

The 2025 hurricane season may get off to an early start

The official start of the 2025 tropical storm and hurricane season is right around the corner and many forecasters are predicting another active year. Tropical meteorologists at Colorado State University released a prediction last month of 17 named storms, with nine of them becoming hurricanes. The forecast also states that four of the hurricanes will be major, which is a Category 3 or higher.

Could we have the driest year since 1929?

It was a dry April across the Inland Northwest. Only 0.54 inches of rain fell at Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene last month, compared to the average of 1.77 inches. At the Spokane International Airport, April’s precipitation total was just 0.39. Their April normal rainfall is 1.25 inches. Our seasonal total in Coeur d’Alene thus far is 7.71 inches. The normal rain and melted snow at this time of year is about 10 inches.

Water loss may be changing the Earth's wobble

According to a report in Science, researchers have determined that water on land, which includes soil moisture levels, underground aquifers, lakes, rivers and other water-holding surfaces, has been declining. In fact, the water has gone down by “trillions of metric tons” within at least the last 20 years, which is believed to be having an impact on the Earth’s wobble.

The colors of the moon

There have been articles in the past that have focused on the moon. Many of our long-range forecasts are often based on the lunar cycles. Potent storm systems usually need the support of the upper-level winds as they move across the continents to produce significant precipitation. Long-time observations and data analysis show a correlation with the lunar cycles and behavior of the upper-level jet stream patterns.

Are Earth's land areas getting drier?

We all know that water is essential to life on our planet as it supports ecosystems. Approximately 71% of the Earth is covered with this liquid, and it’s estimated that there are around 326 million trillion gallons of water on Earth. However, over 97% of this liquid is undrinkable salt water. The rest of it is freshwater, but around 68% of the planet’s freshwater is locked up in ice and glaciers. According to the USGS, if all the Earth’s water, which includes the freshwater sources and oceans, were put into a sphere, the diameter of this “water ball” would be about 860 miles across. Water is also being discovered outside our planet. In various forms, the liquid has been found in asteroids, comets, other moons and other planets that may possess subsurface oceans or even water vapor in their atmosphere.

New tornado outbreaks in the Midwest

Tornado and severe weather season in the central U.S. have ramped up this spring. Last week was especially tough as at least 50 twisters were reported from the Deep South northeastward into Michigan.

A new vent found in Yellowstone

We know that a supervolcano, Yellowstone, is located practically in our backyard. The region is constantly going through geological changes, as there was a recent discovery of a new volcanic vent in August 2024.

An anniversary of the worst tornado in the U.S.

Spring has officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and the tornado season, especially in the U.S. east of the Rockies, has been ramping up. From March 13-17, over 100 twisters were reported that included three EF4 storms. Two dozen people were killed as tornadoes were spotted across 14 states from Illinois southward into Arkansas and into the Gulf Coastal region.

A volcano in Alaska may erupt soon

A volcano near Anchorage, Alaska, called Mount Spurr, has been rumbling.

Strongest worldwide tropical systems

Last week, I wrote about the different names of major tropical systems that included hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons. Ironically, a major storm, Tropical Cyclone Alfred, made landfall on Australia’s East Coast on Saturday.

Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones

Overall, February was a chilly and snowy month across the Inland Northwest. At Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene, the average high for the month was 36 degrees, with a low of 22 degrees. A total of 23.7 inches of snow was measured last month, which pushed the seasonal total to date of 32.1 inches. The normal amount of rainfall for the season is 69.7 inches.

An active February and an asteroid watch

It’s been a snowier-than-average February in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Northwest. As of the weekend, about two feet of snow has fallen at Cliff’s station this month, compared to a February normal of 11.9 inches. The snow this month has been more than what we received in November, December and January combined.

A Western volcano could erupt soon

When most of us think about active volcanoes in the U.S., Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and a few others will first come to mind. However, one of the most active volcanoes in the region is about a mile underwater and approximately 300 miles off the U.S. western coastline.

Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?

Sunday was Groundhog Day and the world’s most famous groundhog of all time, Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania woodchuck, made his annual appearance. Each year, he is hauled out of his fake tree stump on Gobbler’s Knob, about 2 miles east of town, every Feb. 2 at precisely 7:25 a.m. to see if he can see his shadow.

There's more snow near the gulf states than North Idaho

January has produced some amazing and unbelievable weather patterns across the U.S. The lower elevations of North Idaho continue to struggle for snow as only 8.4 inches have been measured at Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene for the season to date. According to his records, this is the lowest amount of snowfall at this time of year in recorded history.

Fire tornadoes being generated from wildfires

Wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles region. The largest blaze, the Palisades fire, has burned approximately 24,000 acres.

California's wildfire season may now be year-round

Last week’s horrendous wildfires in the Los Angeles region continue to make worldwide headlines. As of the weekend, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced with over 12,300 structures either heavily damaged or destroyed, including precious local landmarks. Damage from these blazes is likely to become the costliest in U.S. history. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused damages of around $195 billion.

Last year was another one for record-breaking weather

We’re now into 2025 and last year was another one of record-breaking weather across the Inland Northwest and the rest of the U.S.

Finding out more about the sun's atmosphere

Over the years, I have featured many articles about our sun, including sunspots, solar flares, cycles and its activity. Last week was a landmark occasion for NASA as a sophisticated solar probe plunged into the sun’s outer atmosphere with hopes of better understanding how this star works.

La Niña to be declared soon as ocean waters cool

December has been a tough month for snow across the lower elevations of the Inland Northwest. Moisture totals have been below normal as Coeur d’Alene has received over 1.50 inches of rain and melted snow through Dec. 21. The normal precipitation in Coeur d’Alene for December is 3.90 and with additional storms expected this week and through the end of the month, there is a chance that we’ll come close to that figure.

Santa Ana winds return to California

Last week, strong winds were reported across portions of Southern California that led to the explosive growth of a major wildfire, known as the Franklin Fire, in Malibu.

Recent Western earthquakes and potential tsunamis

Several months ago, I featured an article about the recent earthquake activity in the western U.S. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, on Thursday, Dec. 5, a strong 7.0 magnitude quake was reported off the Northern California coast near Cape Mendocino and the town of Petrolia. Residents as far away as San Francisco felt the earthquake as thousands of people reported feeling a rolling motion when the quake hit that morning.

Volcanic eruptions and flight delays

There are over 1,500 active volcanoes around the Earth with an average of 50-70 eruptions per year. According to VolcanoDiscovery.com, as of the weekend, there are 36 volcanoes that are currently erupting. There are also 34 volcanoes that are classified as “minor activity or in a warning” state.

How to measure snowfall in your area

The big weather pattern change finally arrived at the very end of October. Despite the moisture, Coeur d’Alene’s October precipitation was 1.46 inches.

Our strong solar cycle may have peaked

Our sun has been making news headlines as we’re currently in a strong solar cycle that has generated numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Our city-by-city winter of 2024-25 snowfall predictions

Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.

More hurricane records broken

Late last Wednesday, monster Hurricane Milton struck the west-central coast of Florida as a Category 3 major hurricane. It made landfall near Siesta Key, Fla., with winds near 120 miles per hour. When the storm was a Category 5 in the Gulf of Mexico, sustained winds briefly hit 180 miles per hour. The devastation from this massive storm was widespread.

The West Coast has been recently experiencing more earthquakes

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 3.7 magnitude earthquake was reported near Vancouver, Canada, last Friday morning.

Another big hurricane season and our first frost

It’s been another unusual season for tropical storm and hurricane activity. Last Thursday, a very strong Category 4 hurricane, Helene, hit the Big Bend region of Florida.

The fall foliage for 2024

We’re into the very early stages of the fall season and the beauty of the Inland Northwest are being enhanced by the annual “fall foliage.” Some of the best displays of color should be from now through the middle of October.

Our fall season begins Sunday

After a very hot August and early September, conditions across the Inland Northwest have finally felt more like fall over the past week.

The 2024 tropical storm and hurricane season has recently slowed down

The official start of the tropical storm and hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean for the 2024 season did get off to a fast start.

Summers are getting hotter across the U.S.

The summer of 2024 is winding down across the Inland Northwest, but it was certainly another dry and hot season. July was a torrid month with the average high just slightly above 90 degrees in Coeur d’Alene, which was about 7 degrees above average. High temperatures this month, as of the weekend, were about 2 degrees higher than normal.

New ways of hail research

Thunderstorm season continues across the U.S. east of the Rockies. For the 2024 season, there have been 1,344 tornadoes spawned from severe thunderstorms, compared to an annual average of approximately 1,200.

Record July heat in the Northwest and the world

It’s another hot and dry summer season across the Inland Northwest. July was one of the hottest months in history in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions.

Our planet's orbit may have contributed to ice ages

Last week, I featured the methods used to determine the climate of the Earth’s past. Much of the data that has been collected was from ice core samples, especially ones from Antarctica and Greenland.

How a past climate may be determined

Practically on a daily basis, we’re hearing about climate change and weather extremes.

A new La Niña may be around the corner

Sunday’s high temperature of 103 degrees in Coeur d’Alene was, and will likely be, the hottest reading of this summer season.

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.

Heat index and big heatwaves

Coeur d’Alene had its first 90-degree temperature last week as we’re now in a period of extended excessive heat and dryness. The intense heat that has been experienced in California and the Desert Southwest will be bringing very hot weather to the Inland Northwest this week.

Scientists are concerned about Mount Rainier

Within the last week, there have been some news articles featured on major news networks as to the possibility of a potential eruption of Mount Rainer.

A June full of extreme weather

We’re heading toward the end of June and Coeur d’Alene has yet to report a 90-degree day. However, at the Spokane International Airport, a high of 90 degrees was hit June 22.

The progression of meteorology

The advancement of meteorology has taken huge strides, especially in recent years. Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, plus its interaction with the earth’s surface oceans and life in general.

Does a dry spring also mean a dry summer?

Since the middle of May, temperatures have been relatively mild to warm in Coeur d’Alene and across the Inland Northwest.

Airline turbulence

With all of these wild weather patterns across the globe, it should be no surprise that we’re hearing more about airline turbulence. Most of us heard about the recent turbulence disaster with a Singapore Airlines flight May 21 from London to Singapore.

Derecho winds slamming the Midwest last week

Last week, very strong winds moved through the central portions of the country, knocking out power and causing some widespread damage.

The latest wildfire season forecast

The wildfire season in Canada has begun and new blazes have already broken out across the country. The Canadian government says that wildfires can occur throughout the year. However, the time when they often experience the highest activity is from May through September.

A rare dazzling light show for the Inland Northwest

Over the weekend, residents of the Inland Northwest were treated to a dazzling display of lights.

The miracle of water

April was a drier-than-normal month across the Inland Northwest. At Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene, only 0.39 inches of moisture fell, compared to the normal of 1.77 inches.

The 2024 tornado season is a little different

The 2024 tornado season has been relatively active, but not in the typical locations in the early spring season. According to an article from The Weather Channel, most of the tornadoes have been seen across the U.S., rather than the southern states.

El Niño is gone and another La Niña may form

El Niño was declared officially over by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) last week, one of the main forecasters who monitor sea-surface temperatures.

Forecast calls for 20-year celebration

Press meteorologist begins third decade with newspaper

Can AI help predict earthquakes?

Last Wednesday, a very strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the popular tourist city of Hualien, located on the eastern shore of Taiwan. The event triggered large landslides and hundreds of aftershocks, many of which were over 6.0 in magnitude. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years.

Thunderstorm season is upon us

April has arrived, and we’ve already had one thunderstorm in the Coeur d’Alene area, which occurred March 27. Although we do get our share of thunder, lightning, hail and even a rare tornado, the severity of these storms does not compare to the ones seen east of the Rockies, especially in the Great Plains and the Midwest’s "Tornado Alley."

A superbloom expected in California's deserts

Last week certainly felt like spring across the Inland Northwest. March 17 was the warmest St. Patrick’s Day in recorded history in Coeur d’Alene with a high of 71 degrees. The old record was 70 degrees set back in 1972.

The spring equinox is here

On Tuesday, March 19, at 8:06 p.m. PST, spring will officially arrive across the North American continent. The date is also known as the spring equinox, and this occurs at the exact same moment across the globe.

Earthquakes in the Midwest with threats in the Northwest

Recently, residents in the Midwest have been concerned about the recent increase in earthquake activity in southern Illinois. Since the middle of November of 2023, there have been three earthquakes measuring from a 2.5 magnitude in early March of this year, to 3.6 magnitude last November.

A history of daylight saving time

On Sunday, March 10, most U.S. and European residents will once again move their clocks forward one hour. Daylight saving time is the cycle that starts in the second week of March and ends in the first week of November.

The 2024 tropical storm and hurricane season could be another active one

The official start of the tropical storm and hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean waters is a little more than 3 months away. With the strong El Niño starting to weaken along the equatorial regions, many forecasters that specialize in sea-surface temperatures are indicating the increasing chances of another active season.

Is the California drought over?

The California rainfall season begins July 1 and ends the following June 30. Most other stations, including Coeur d’Alene, begin their moisture season Jan. 1.

El Niño's effects are here, but they may not last

The 2023-24 snowfall season has not been one to remember in North Idaho and other parts of the U.S.

The strong El Niño may have already peaked

As of late January, ocean waters along the equatorial regions are still very warm and forecasters who carefully watch the trends of ocean warming and cooling have indicated that still have a strong El Niño in the south-central Pacific Ocean.

Some spectacular celestial events in 2024

This year will offer U.S. skywatchers a variety of dazzling celestial events from meteor showers, a comet fly-by and the long-anticipated solar eclipse across parts of the U.S.

History of Coeur d'Alene cold waves

Conditions this month have been some of the coldest and iciest across North Idaho in recent memory.

Very frigid weather for the start of 2024

Late last week, we had some of the coldest weather across the country we’ve felt and heard about in a long time as hundreds of cold records were broken. Over the weekend, morning low temperatures in central Montana near the Canadian border were more than 20 degrees below zero. Frigid weather was reported across the central U.S. and into the Northeast.

It's been a wild start to 2024

We’re barely a week into 2024 and some parts of the world have experienced Mother Nature’s wrath.

Our planet's orbit now has us closest to the sun

We’re now into 2024 and it’s almost hard to believe that another year has passed. My parents always told me that when you get older, time passes more quickly. They weren’t kidding.

More weather extremes in 2023

Thanks, at least in part, to the warm water phenomenon, El Niño, many residents across the U.S. were disappointed with the lack of snow on Christmas Day.

Our planet has been affected by solar storms

Earlier this year, I wrote an article stating that our sun was in the middle of a stronger “maxima” cycle. During these events, there are increased number of sunspots, or solar storms, on the sun.

Tree rings give insights to past climates and earthquakes

Tree ring data has become very important in determining a region’s past climate. Trees are sensitive to the area’s local climate and each year, the tree will grow rings, which also provides an age for the tree.

Will we see another year with below-zero temperatures?

December is here and we’ve finally received some snow after a relatively normal average temperature in November.

Some volcanoes are making news this month

There are many volcanoes that are erupting and some of them are making headlines across the world. For example, Iceland’s volcanic activity is currently threatening one of its popular resorts.

The holidays are getting closer, so be on the lookout for those watches and warnings

November has certainly shaped up as a different one weatherwise when compared to October. Last month, it was very dry as only 0.26 inches of rain fell in Coeur d’Alene, compared to the normal of 2.22 inches.

The ozone layer has been holding up

The weather pattern certainly changed in early November as we had more rain in the first two days of the month than all of October. At Cliff’s station, only 0.26 inches of rain fell last month in Coeur d’Alene, compared to a normal of 2.22 inches.

Halloween and more winter forecasts

Winter conditions arrived last week across the Inland Northwest as many locations received their first measurable snowfall for the season. At Cliff’s station, 0.2 inches of snow fell last Wednesday.

Our city-by-city winter of 2023-24 snowfall predictions

Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.

The rest of October and Halloween outlook

The early portion of October produced some very warm weather across the Inland Northwest before showers and cooler temperatures arrived early last week.

First freeze and potential winter ice

This is the time of year when local gardeners will have to start monitoring the weather more closely as our region will eventually be heading toward freezing temperatures.

We're in a strong solar cycle

Sunspots are storms on the Sun and during the height of a cycle, its magnetic poles will usually flip as the North Pole becomes the South Pole and vice-versa.

More weather extremes and El Niño

It’s been a very dry September across the Inland Northwest.

The fall foliage may be sooner this year

We’re into the early stages of the fall season and the beauty of the Inland Northwest is being enhanced by the annual “fall foliage.”

It's another active tropical storm and hurricane season

We’ve reached the peak of the tropical storm and hurricane season and it’s already going to be another memorable year.

Will the upcoming fall turn wet?

September is here and so was a change in our weather pattern. Much-needed rain returned to the region last week as we entered the “full moon” lunar phase.

El Niño seems to be getting stronger

Sea-surface temperatures along the equatorial regions are still climbing and U.S. forecasters who carefully watch the trends of ocean warming and cooling have indicated that we have a moderate El Niño in the south-central Pacific Ocean.

Fires and hurricanes in the West

Despite the lowest number of total burned acres in the U.S. to date in more than 10 years, three major wildfires broke out that sent air pollution levels into the “hazardous” category in the Spokane vicinity. In the Coeur d’Alene region, “very unhealthy” readings were reported Saturday afternoon that got worse Saturday night and early Sunday.

More disastrous wildfires in other parts of the world

It’s another season with disastrous wildfires. The latest one occurred in Maui, one of Hawaii’s elite islands that is a popular tourist destination.

August moons and meteors

There has been much discussion about the moon for August as the celestial events for this month are rare.

Asteroids and heat

It’s been a very warm and dry July across the Inland Northwest. The average high for this month is around 89 degrees.

It's been hot, but ground temperatures can be much hotter

The unrelenting heat across the southern U.S. and other parts of the world continues to break records.

Heat, other extreme records continue to fall

Last week, I wrote about the extreme heat that has been reported across the globe.

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.

Types of thunderstorms and thunder

The first half of June was warmer than normal in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Northwest. The average temperature was around 80 degrees, compared to the average of 73 degrees during the first 15 days of the month.

Summer arrives in just a few days

The first day of summer arrives Wednesday at 7:58 a.m. On that day, the sun angle is the highest in the sky and the Northern Hemisphere will experience the highest number of daylight hours.

The 2023 wildfire season is already having a major impact

Out-of-control wildfires in Canada’s eastern province of Quebec sent huge clouds of smoke and haze southward into the northeastern U.S., parts of the Midwest and regions as far south as the Mid-Atlantic states.

Tornadoes in Canada

In early April, I wrote about the number of tornadoes that were seen across the country. For 2023, there have been 790 preliminary sightings of twisters, with 624 confirmed.

The tropical storm and hurricane season may be close to normal

We’re getting close to the official start of the 2023 tropical storm and hurricane seasons that begins June 1.

Does a wet spring mean a dry summer?

We had our first good taste of summer last week as high temperatures climbed into the 80s in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions Thursday and Friday.

Our pollen seasons may be getting longer

We’re in the middle of allergy season and it’s often a tough time for those who suffer from hay fever. Some people are affected more than others at various times of the year.

Ocean waters are warming

Until recently, our planet’s weather patterns have been influenced by a three-yearlong La Niña event in the waters of the south-central Pacific Ocean.

Thunderstorm season is here

Conditions felt more like summer over the weekend as high temperatures across North Idaho and eastern Washington climbed into the 80s for the first time this year. The last time an 80-degree temperature was recorded in Coeur d’Alene was Oct. 6, 2022, with a high of 80 degrees.

The use and mysteries of water

We all know that water is essential to life on our planet and approximately 71% of the Earth is covered with this liquid. It’s estimated that there are around 326 million trillion gallons of water that on Earth.

Interesting wind facts

Late last week, a powerful cyclone made landfall in a remote part of Western Australia. The major storm, Ilsa, had winds of 135.5 miles per hour that were recorded on Bedout Island, which is off the coastline of Western Australia.

A history of Easter weather

Another storm brought more moisture to the Inland Northwest early this week. Additional systems are expected to bring more wet weather to the region through the middle of the week.

The 2023 tornado season is ramping up

The 2023 tornado season is starting out to be an active one, especially in the southern U.S. Just over a week ago, March 24-27, there were 30 twisters, including one EF4, that resulted in catastrophic damage in Rolling Fork and Silver City, Miss.

Will clocks move back in November?

Last Sunday, March 12, we turned our clocks forward once again. Practically every person I talked to since we moved our clocks forward one hour strongly suggests that we leave the time where it is on a permanent basis.

Record snows in the West

It was certainly a tale of two winters across the Inland Northwest.

Our sun is becoming more active

Last year, I wrote an article stating that our sun was waking up from its minimum cycle.

The latest with earthquakes

Many of have heard about the disastrous and monster earthquake that struck the border of Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6. The magnitude was a 7.8 and resulted in nearly 50,000 deaths.

Snow is coming to North Idaho, and California is still battling drought conditions

Conditions across the Inland Northwest will be returning to more winterlike this week. Since the beginning of the year, less than 8 inches of snow has fallen at Cliff’s station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene.

Could we see a repeat of last season's snowfall trend?

On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil, the infamous groundhog, saw his shadow. According to folklore, this means six more weeks of winter.

AI to help improve weather forecasting

In recent decades, there have been a lot of progress with weather forecasting based on numerical predictions.

The spinning of Earth's core may be slowing

Our second winter season arrived with much colder temperatures and windy conditions.

Record cold and the ozone layer

We may see the “tale of two winters” before the snow season ends later this year.

Moisture still going to the south of North Idaho

What a difference a month makes across the Inland Northwest.

Wild weather in California

The wild weather experienced across many parts of the country in December has continued into January.

Holiday storms and extremes

Last week’s massive Arctic outbreak is now being called a “100-Year,” or “once-in-a-generation” event.

Unusual Christmas weather

Based on climatological records since 1895, many locations in Coeur d’Alene and other regions in North Idaho have seen at least a trace of snow on the ground on Dec. 25 over 50% of the time.

Molten motions

A series of volcanic eruptions have made headlines in 2022. According to Volcano Discovery, there are currently 27 volcanoes that are erupting around the world.

A November to remember

It was a “November to remember” in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Northwest.

Our chances for a White Christmas in North Idaho for 2022

It has certainly been a very cold November across the Inland Northwest.

Thanksgiving Day weather history

The weather since Nov. 7 has felt more like January.

More frigid weather coming to the northwest

Since Nov. 7, Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Empire has been in the grips of one of the most intense early November cold waves in recorded history.

More billion dollar disasters in 2022

Coeur d’Alene received its first snowfall of the 2022-23 season.

Major Halloween weather events

The last part of October is certainly much different than the first 20 days of the month.

Our city-by-city winter of 2022-23 snowfall predictions

Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.

La Niña is strengthening in the Pacific waters

It’s been one of the warmest and driest starts to October in recorded history across the Inland Northwest. There were four days in-a-row with high temperatures at or above 80 degrees at Cliff’s station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene. We came close to tying a record last week as the high was 80 degrees on October 5, only 2 degrees below the record for the date.

Strongest and deadliest hurricanes

Last week, Hurricane Ian moved through southwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 150 miles per hour.

Could we see freezing temperatures within weeks?

Our summer season has come to a close, and it’s been reported that it was one of the hottest ones in history.

The celebration of the equinox

After a very hot August and early September, conditions across the Inland Northwest have finally felt more like fall over the past week.

Early September has been a hot one in California, Idaho

In most years, when we arrive in September, temperatures become noticeably cooler across much of the West.

It was a record hot August

August was a hot and relatively dry month in the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane area.

Tropical storms and hurricanes may be increasing very soon

More hot weather is expected across the Inland Northwest, especially around the middle of the week, as we’ll like have more 90-degree plus temperatures.

Drought in the Northwest and other parts of the world

The summer of 2022 has certainly turned into another hot and dry one across the Inland Northwest.

It's now a below-normal season for tropical storms and tornadoes

We’ve seen extreme weather patterns in the spring with practically a complete flip to the other extreme in recent months.

Earth just recently had its shortest day in modern history

Since 2020, our planet has been recording a series of speed records as it recently had its shortest day in modern history.

California reservoirs continue to struggle

The southwestern portion of the country has been suffering from a 22-year drought.

There's another active supervolcano that is being watched

Here in the Inland Northwest, when we think of a supervolcano, the most famous one that comes to mind is Yellowstone.

A look at weather's history

The science of weather forecasting has certainly come a long way, especially within the last 20 years.

Record heat has been all around us

Weather or not for July 4.

Is La Nina officially over?

After the coolest spring season on record in Coeur d’Alene and other parts of the Inland Northwest, we finally had our first 80-degree day as the mercury hit 81 degrees on June 22.

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

Weather or not for June 20.

Could the Hunga volcanic eruption have influenced our weather pattern?

Weather or not for June 13.

Lightning is not just confined to Earth

According to Cliff’s records, the spring season in Coeur d’Alene has been the coolest on record.

The driest and wettest places across the globe

It seems like every week, there’s something to report about all of the extremes going on in the U.S. and around the world.

Tornadoes show tempest in Northwest teapot

Cold and rain expected locally through May.

Hurricane season looks like another doozy

Locally, unsettled weather for rest of May

La Nina lingers — and what that portends

Locally, hot summer likely on tap

Thunderstorms can spark asthma attacks

Local weather forecast: More rain, storms ahead

What to do during a thunderstorm

.Weather or not for April 11

Thunderstorms looming, booming on horizon

Forecasters predict slight uptick in storms this spring.

It looks like a wet spring and a dry summer

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The story behind spring

Outlook for last gasps of snow fading away.

You want extremes? You got 'em

From high snow to no snow, abnormal is normal in N. Idaho.

Fire forecast looks ferocious

West at high risk of intense fires.

Early spring? Wish may be granted

But some snow still expected late February, early March.

Snow slow on the go, but wild weather elsewhere

Since early January, snowfall in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions has been relatively scarce.

Your weather word for today: Snownado

Rare event seen recently in Greece.

You wanted snow, and you got it

More cold and snow headed to N. Idaho for Christmas

Conditions ripen for October snow

New La Nina knockin' on the door.

Frost on September pumpkins a possibility

Forecasters think November could be a wet one.

More heat in store; drought pattern holds firm grip

There is some chance of rain on Tuesday.

Summertime, summertime — what it means meteorologically

The Weather Mann shares some weather wisdom.

More visits planned to Earth's 'evil twin'

Local weather forecast still looks dangerously dry.

Record high temp could be tested Wednesday

Hot and dry? You want it, you got it.

It may be another disastrous year for wildfires in the west

Despite a little moisture over the weekend, it’s been one of the driest first 10 days in recorded history in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Empire.

Could 10.0 quake be brewing?

Artificial Intelligence new tool in anticipating earthquakes.

Already bad drought could get worse

Could lead to dire forest fire season.

Make sure you keep your skin protected

Here comes your weather info.

The Arctic has seen an increase in lightning

It may be a month with near to below normal precipitation totals across North Idaho and the rest of the Inland Empire.

How wet we've been; how dry we are

teaser for column

Hints of drought in North Idaho

Trend of drier summers looks like it might hold up again in 2021.

Volcano system wasn't asleep after all

Locally, dry before rain and possibly snow.

Nothing's normal — not even the weather

In rarity, Spokane has outflaked Cd'A through some seasonal snows.

Polar vortex could bring us more snow

After record snowless period, we could see more white stuff in the weeks ahead.

Here's why wind makes it feel so much colder

Forecast a little less cold, a little more snow.

See what sun has to say about our weather

Snow and cold finally headed this way.

An unfrosty first: Jan. 1-23 sets snowless record

What a wacky winter we're having.

We got moisture but not the snow

After a dry first 8 days of December, the storm door opened up to bring above normal moisture to most of the Inland Northwest. However, many of the air masses have been too warm for snow in the lower elevations, especially in early January.

2020 yet another year of weather extremes

It was yet another year of weather extremes.

White Christmas? You got it!

Dreams answered.

Dreaming of weird Christmas weather

Actually, a little more like spring.

Ma Nature turning on the moisture

The weather pattern here in the Inland Northwest is changing to the wetter side as the storm door has finally opened up. Our first snow of December arrived on Friday with more expected over at least the next six weeks. Cliff and I see a good chance of at least moderate snows in the region around the Christmas holiday, so the odds of a white Christmas here in North Idaho are looking good.

Heed these winter weather advisories

Just stick around awhile. Snow will be here soon.

Jupiter, Saturn coming together (sort of)

All you need to know about North Idaho weather.

Chance of white Christmas — 70%

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas...

Snowfall could hit local Top 10 list

It's gonna snow, all right.

Climate disasters breaking records

Weather disasters costing fortunes.

City-by-city snowfall predictions

Randy, Cliff look into 2020-21 snowy crystal ball

Like Friday's snow, records could fall.

More moisture lurking 'round the corner

More bad weather this way comes.

Two-week forecasts and a little moon mania

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Air quality was (cough) horrific

The air quality was pathetic here last week.

Wildfires, hurricanes — and a new La Nina

Randy predicts snow this winter

Is a new megadrought brewing in the West?

the weathermann nails this forecast

CDA summer fourth driest since 1895

Expect a mighty wet autumn

Expect a really wet fall

Fire, tornadoes and record heat

The blast furnace was going strong last week across much of the Far West. Last Monday, Aug. 17, Cliff recorded a high of 100 degrees at his station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene. Spokane also hit 100 degrees on that date, but the airport also hit 100 degrees on Sunday, Aug. 16. Most stations across North Idaho were in the upper 90s last Monday.

Wild weather rocked the planet

We’ve had some interesting and unusual weather events across the globe over the last week. There have been floods, wild thunderstorms and a derecho. Here in North Idaho, it’s been extremely dry since early July, but we’ve also been in a temperature pattern from summer to fall-like, and then back to summer again this week.

A month without moisture in the Inland Northwest

After 30 days of rainless weather in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions, we finally received some measurable moisture last Thursday. However, amounts were very light as Cliff measured just .04 inches at his station. Spokane only measured .02 inches with Hayden and Post Falls picking up .05 inches. Prior to the dry spell, the last time we had any measurable rainfall was on July 7 as .32 inches fell on that day. Also, during the 30 days without rain, we were drier than parts of the Sahara Desert.

Hurricane forecast: More big storms

The Atlantic and Caribbean tropical storm and hurricane season is off to a fast start for the 2020 season. As of late last week, there were eight named storms. The normal, based on a 30-year average, is 12 named storms for each season.

Scorchers aplenty headed this way

Coeur d’Alene finally reported 90-degree temperatures last week as we’re now in a period of extended warmth and dryness. The warmest temperature so far this summer has been 93 degrees, which occurred last Tuesday. It’s going to be hot through Friday as temperatures will be well into the 90s in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding areas. A few locations may even challenge the 100-degree mark this week.

The summer heat dome

The weather will certainly feel like summer this week. High temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s across many areas here in the Inland Empire. Up until this point, there hasn’t been a 90-degree day for the 2020 season at Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene. However, Spokane did hit 90 degrees last Thursday.

Summer heat and sizzling lightning facts

Our summer season in the Inland Northwest has started off to be cooler than normal. Our warmest day was Saturday as high temperatures approached the 90-degree mark in some areas, but cooled down once again on Sunday.

Derecho winds cause problems in the Midwest

Last week, very strong winds moved through the central portions of the country, knocking out power and causing some widespread damage.