The WxCafe™

Comfort Zone

Posted by Rufus La Lone on July 21, 2025

Monday July 21

Models suggest that we are at the front end of an extended period of fairly pleasant conditions. Admittedly, for some folks, there may be too many ‘morning marine cloud’ days, but overall, the afternoon high temps look to be comfortable for outdoor activities. Will that last into early August? Let’s take a peek. Sip on.

The cool air mass that swept over the PNW this past weekend will slowly departing, leaving behind a ‘fair weather pattern’ for a couple of weeks.

This week, July 21-25: turning a bit warmer each day, with temps in the pleasant 75-84 degree range, overall. Fri the 25th will present slightly cooler temps brought on by an increasing onshore flow. Breezy afternoons.
This weekend July 26,27: A tad cooler than normal, yet pleasant. Morn’n clouds may go with your Mug start-up.
Week of July 28-Aug 1: Looking to remain on the cooler side of Summer; dry & windy afternoons, esp along the coast.
1st weekend of Aug 2025: This portion of the forecast gets dicey. Meaning, recent solutions indicate a strong ‘fall-like pattern’ of clouds & moderate rain; other runs suggest continued mild conditions & dry.

A major aspect of a fall-like pattern on the charts is the Pacific Summer High pressure dome shifting farther to the NW corner of the Gulf of Alaska. We’ll hold off on pegging such a forecast until another series of model solutions arrive.

Week of Aug 4-8: Actual outcome depends on the position of that Pacific High - wx could continue damp or remain in the summer mode, per normal. Rinse your Mug and get it handy.

It’s that time of year again —> to keep our ears alert for the ’Song of Summer' - when crickets begin to chirp their song. Sure, there are some crickets, here & there, chirping in various locations, but it is during the late July-to-Aug 13 period, that the true chorus of chirping gets underway. A great time to have young ones pay attention this detail of the PNW.

🇺🇸 “Some people wave the American flag but waive what it stands for."

-Rufus

Read more →

Classic Summer Pattern

Posted by Rufus La Lone on July 18, 2025

Friday July 18

Another summer work-week has zipped by. No change in the overall wx outlook for the balance of July. We will still Mug up to The WxCafé™️ counter.

☕️Ready?

Definitely a pleasant wx weekend, with some morning marine clouds around the Puget Sound region. Highs in the 80s most places, maybe a few hitting 90 today in OR & east side.
Slowly heating up again next week, July 12-25. Temps may reach into the low 90s late week, however, most charts top afternoon highs out around 8; cooler around the Sound, per normal. We pick Thu as the warmest day.
July 26,27 weekend: looks to be a repeat of the previous weekend -> temps cooling down a few degrees. Pleasant across the entire PNW.
Week of July 28 - Aug 1st: copy-cat week - trending to mirror the previous week. Seasonal temps, no extreme heat is forecast at this time. Classic summer afternoons around the entire PNW.
1st weekend of August: trending mild, with an onshore flow holding down regional temps. A morning marine cloud deck in the interior valleys is possible.

🔺 No rain from now through at least Aug 3.

“ ‘Fairness' means someone else is deciding for you what is ‘fair’. ‘Freedom' means that YOU get to make that decision.” -Milton Friedman, Noble Laureate

-Rufus

Read more →

Dry July

Posted by Rufus La Lone on July 14, 2025

Monday July 14

It looks dry for the rest of July, with temperatures being the key wx feature to forecast, so let’s give it a ‘go’.

This week, July 14-18: Today will be several degrees cooler than yesterday’s heat (Albany topped out at 98). Tue ramps temps up again, as will Wed & Thu - both of which are likely to reach high 90s or even lower 100s. Friday should moderate down a few degrees, much like today, the 14th.
Coming weekend, July 19,20: Notably cooler, with Nature’s air conditioning (an onshore flow) tapping temps down into the typical July range.
Next week, July 21-25: Indications are for the first couple days of the week to be warm-to-hot week, followed by moderating temps with an onshore flow kicking up. There could be showers over southern BC and Beliingham area late Tue night, July 22, other than that ‘maybe’ threat, no precip is expected regionally.
July 26,27 weekend: trending dry & warm.
Final days of the month: dry & warm.

That’s about it. Don’t let up on watering.

From the ’Net: “So technically, Moses is the first man to download from the cloud using a tablet."

-Rufus

Read more →

Shade Hunters

Posted by Rufus La Lone on July 11, 2025

Friday July 11

Shade what? Read on.

H O T pattern setting up around the PNW, with temps likely to exceed 100 degrees in many west side locations later this week. Everyone will be hunting for SHADE to provide relief. Forecasters are speaking out about the heat to protect lives - - this level of heat can kill - - so don’t ignore the warnings & methods to protect yourself and neighbors that may not have air conditioning. Enough parenting. Here’s the scoop:

This weekend temps will reach upper 80s to lower 90s, possibly 95; a few degrees cooler around the Puget Sound, but still hot. Sunday likely the hottest. WINDY afternoons.
Next week: Mon could be a few degrees cooler than Sunday, but that will just be a short heat break. As the week progresses, triple-digits likely Wed & Thu - quite possibly could reach 103-105 in western OR. Offshore air flow. Warm nights, too. Mid-level moisture may work north along the Cascades Thu evening - thunderstorms? FIRE issues will be elevated, for sure. Turning a bit cooler on Friday the 18th.
July 19,20 weekend: not quite so hot, but still temps should climb into the upper 80s in many locations with a bit of onshore flow.
Week of July 21-25: trending broadly in the mid-80s with Wed likely the hottest day of the week. Cooling late week with a push on onshore flow and much cooler air.
Weekend of July 26,27: turning warmer, with chance for 90+ temps setting up for the following week. Too early to peg.

California temps will also be HOT, with Big Valley reaching 105-110 at times. Shade Hunters.

“Nothing wrong ever happens at the right time.”

-Rufus

Read more →

A Dry July

Posted by Rufus La Lone on July 07, 2025

Monday July 7

As expected, the long holiday weekend was delightful. Time to head into the heart of Summer. Our 'bullet list’ format has been popular, so we’ll continue that forecast approach for awhile. Mug up time.

This week, July 7-11: upper 80s to lower 90s today & tomorrow. Cooler with some clouds & a threat for a light shower mainly over the Puget Sound north; slow warming again starting Thu - pleasant. Friday will heat up again.
Weekend of July 12,13: temps ramp up to match Fri, so expect temps to be in the 80s to 90s in most locations.
Week of July 14-18: trending to be warmer than the previous weekend, with temps running in the upper 80s to mid-90s; possible triple-digit temps in portions of southern OR on Thu the 17th. Beginning a short cooler period on Fri.
July 19,20 weekend: onshore flow will help tap down temps. Continued dry.
Week of July 21-25: quite possibly the HOTTEST days of the Summer thus far. Triple-digit possible in many west side locations.

Bottom line: DRY pattern through at least the 26th; excluding a ‘maybe shower’ around the Sound this Wed. Harvest Season on!

“Some people have photographic memories - always negative."

-Rufus

Read more →