Summer Warmth Returns

For those that enjoy moderately hot, sunny August afternoons, this forecast will please.  Refill your morn’n Mug and get back here for the latest outlook for the rest of August.

Cool, onshore flow will keep afternoon highs a tad below normal for the next 2-3 days, then an extended warm period will develop, one that could hold through until Labor Day Weekend.

• This week, Aug 18-22: Afternoon sun after the morning marine cloud deck ‘burns off’.  Temps pleasantly in the 70s, maybe low 80s esp south & east regions. By Thu, the onshore will weaken & temps will begin to heat up into the 90s around western OR, SW WA; 80s around the Sound, north.
• The coming weekend, Aug 23,24: Mid 90s possible; high 80s north of Chehalis.  Morning sun.
• Week of Aug 25-29:  Onshore flow picks up, cooling the region down again, much like the current pattern.  This time, though, the pattern may shift to one that is like Fall, right in time for the extended US holiday.
• Labor Day Weekend, Aug 30-Sep 1:  The 'final holiday' of Summer.  Long-range charts hint of a Low pressure system drifting down the BC coast, ushering in clouds, cooler temps and showers throughout the entire holiday.  This is early, so don’t modify outdoor plans just yet.   Thunderstorms along the Cascades during Thu & Fri Aug 28,29.
• Post Labor Day week: trending cool, partly-to-mostly cloudy, but dry, as a Low centers itself right over the PNW.

It’s just about time for wine grape veraison - the important "coloring up” period for wine grapes — the transition from grape berry growth to berry ripening.  Veraison is often from late-Aug to early Sept, but timing can be quite variable because of summer weather conditions.  Any Patrons that are grape growers wishing to share whether or not veraison has started in your vineyard(s) — please post a note to rrufus@yahoo.com.