Shortened

The Heat Wave arrives, but it will be shortened, to the delight of many.  Time for that refill, Patron.

Indeed, the much discussed heat-up gets under way starting today.  Temps will pop up a few degrees each day as the weekend unfolds, with Sunday likely being the first ‘cooker’ day of the shortened heat spell.  While the Puget Sound & southern BC will not get so hot, everywhere in the PNW will experience the uncomfortable heat to some degree (pun intended).  

• Aug 9,10 weekend:  Temps in the 90s to near 100 by Sunday in western OR.  Sunday night may not cool down much, so keep those fans handy.
• Week of Aug 11-15:  Monday likely the hottest day -  96 to 100 in many locations south of Longview.  Slight cooling on Tue, although lots of variation in model outlooks, so it could still reach 90+  However, all indications are that by Wed the 13th, a weak surface Low will work it’s way into the PNW along coastal BC, with a chance for a shower or two over the Puget Sound overnight Wed.  Whoa. That was not expected earlier.  Temps will drop down into the pleasant 70s in western OR (which should stay dry, with some cloudiness Thu).  Fri the 15th looks to be warmer, but not hot.
• Weekend of Aug 16,17:  A stronger system could edge it’s way into the PNW overnight Fri, with some rain or showers across most of western WA Fri night into Sat. Mainly a cloud event for NW OR - and remaining dry.  Sunday trends as pleasant.
• Week of Aug 18-22:  Temps remaining mild for August, with another slight chance for showers late Fri over the Sound.  Don’t bet on this, though.

As you can tell, this projected heat wave will barely make the “qualifying round” of 3 consecutive 90 degree days in the shade (we use the 'old school' definition).  However, in keeping with our foundational premise, when it looked like the heat wave could last 7 days, we encouraged Patrons 'be prepared, just in case'.

🌀 Topical Tropical.  From the may-or-may-not Department, we are monitoring the season's first Atlantic storm that could impact the US.  This tropical wave, developing just off the west coast of Africa around Capo Verde, may deepen and be named ERIN before making a run at the SE Atlantic coast by Aug 20-22.