Tri-Cities no longer experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions

For the first time since November 2019, the Tri-Cities is no longer listed as having drought or abnormally dry conditions according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, which maintains the U.S. Drought Monitor. The scale this center uses starts with abnormally dry (D0) then proceeds from moderate drought (D1) to exceptional drought (D4). At the […]

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Marginal (level 1/5) risk of severe weather for the Tri-Cities area on Wednesday

Monsoon moisture is surging into the Inland Northwest Tuesday evening as an upper level low spins off the coast of Oregon. On Monday, I reported that Wednesday was likely to see thunderstorm activity pushed eastward into Idaho and Utah because of how close the low was expected to be to the Washington coast. Updated models […]

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Low chance of thunderstorms for the Tri-Cities area Tuesday

Over the next couple of days, the Columbia Basin is forecast to see highs in the 100s, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory for the region. It is in effect from 12:00 Monday to 23:00 Tuesday. This heatwave is much smaller and shorter in comparison to the one at the end […]

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Short heatwave for the Columbia Basin, but temps won’t be as hot as the end of July

Well below average temperatures were observed throughout the Inland Northwest Friday as an upper level trough makes its way through British Columbia. The Tri-Cities recorded a high of 84° on Friday. The average for this time of year is in the mid 90s. Temperatures warm some Saturday, but will only be near average. The bulk […]

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Monsoon moisture moderated highs in the Columbia Basin on Sunday and Monday

On both Sunday and Monday highs in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas came in below the forecast (though still quite hot) because of cloud cover. On Sunday these clouds were remnants of thunderstorm activity from the night before in the Blue Mountains and Central Oregon. On Monday, radar data showed some light shower activity trying […]

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Heat wave forecast to last longer than expected previously

A ridge of high pressure continues to dominate weather conditions across the Pacific Northwest, with many locations above 100° Saturday afternoon and a few places around the Tri-Cities getting around 110°. For several days, weather models had shown significant cooling Monday and beyond, but as we’ve gotten closer it now appears that the weather may […]

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Smoke from California wildfires headed for the Pacific Northwest; fire danger east of the Cascades starting Wednesday

The weather pattern that is forecast to bring excessive heat to the Pacific Northwest for much of this week may also bring wildfire smoke into the region from fires burning in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. As of Monday morning, the largest smoke maker out of these is the Oak Fire burning near Yosemite National Park. […]

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Excessive heat warning replaces watch for the Tri-Cities; now includes Monday

On Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Pendleton issued an excessive heat warning for the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Walla Walla, Hermiston, and surrounding areas. This replaces the excessive heat watch issued for the region on Saturday. The warning goes into effect Monday at 11:00 and runs until 23:00 Friday. As I noted in my blog […]

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Excessive heat watch posted for the Tri-Cities next week

As we approach the coming heat wave, the National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued an excessive heat watch in effect from Tuesday morning to Friday evening. It is likely to be replaced by a warning in the next couple of days. The watch is for most lowland areas in Pendleton’s county warning area, including […]

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UPDATED: Red Flag Warning for much of the Columbia Basin Friday

UPDATE (06:45 Friday) – The fire weather watch is now a Red Flag Warning in effect from 12:00 to 20:00 Friday. All other forecast information is still valid – see Thursday’s article below: Dry, warm, and breezy conditions have prompted the National Weather Service office in Pendleton to issue a Fire Weather Watch for the […]

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