Summer’s homestretch: August weather outlook
Typically, August is the second-hottest month of the year
NOAA's releases summer outlook
NOAA has released their 90 day outlook for the summer and it's not the best news for those areas already in drought.
If recently released climate outlooks are accurate, don’t look for many changes in the overall weather patterns across the Lower 48 through the last month of meteorological summer.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center believes La Niña’s grip on weather patterns across the globe could intensify, which means the U.S. could be in store for more weather extremes.
The summer started out with well above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation as a whole across the nation, and for most, this general pattern will be the case into September.
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Forecasters say areas of high pressure will be common across the northern tier of the country, which will result in heat waves.
Areas shaded in orange and red have a likelihood of seeing above-average temperatures in August. (Data: NOAA's Climate Prediction Center)
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An upper-level dome of high pressure tends to cut down on cloud cover and moisture, meaning if you find yourself under it, don’t look for relief in the form of rain.
NOAA believes the Plains and the Mississippi Valley have the greatest chance of seeing above-average temperatures through the month.
If you want to beat the heat, there are a few places across the Lower 48 that could see near- or below-average temperatures.
Forecasters expect the extreme Upper Midwest and the Desert Southwest to possibly have a cooler-than-average August.
The NOAA outlook expects most of the Plains and Northeast to see below-average rainfall through the next 30 days.
Areas shaded in tan and brown have a likelihood of seeing below-average rainfall in August. (Data: NOAA's Climate Prediction Center)
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Thunderstorms over the Southeast and Southwest could keep the rain gauges busy.
A robust monsoon across the Desert Southwest is expected to continue well into September, meaning above-average chances for heavy rain across the Four Corners region are likely.
The recent showers and thunderstorms have put a dent in recent drought levels, and large parts of Arizona and New Mexico have seen rainfall totals more than 200 percent above average during the past month.
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Forecasters believe the beneficial rains will remain far enough away from areas experiencing wildfires in California to bring any significant relief for firefighters.
The entire Golden State is experiencing drought conditions that show no improvement.
Forecasters admit questions remain about how both the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons will impact the country through the end of the month.
Occasionally, during active Eastern Pacific tropical weather seasons, moisture from remnant storms can invade the Southwest and enhance the monsoon.
The story is much different in the Atlantic Basin, where hostile conditions and an overall downward pattern dominated most of July.
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Typically, August kicks off the heart of the hurricane season, and if the basin holds true to outlooks, tropical activity is expected to increase during the final weeks of summer 2022.
Upper-level steering patterns will dictate the future paths of the tropical activity, which always has a chance of disrupting climate outlooks along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast.