Published: July 29,2015
Sizzling temperatures are gripping opposite sides of the country at the same time as we close out July and enter August. While searing heat has been ongoing in parts of the southern Plains and the southern half of the Mississippi Valley the last few days, much of the West Coast and the Northeast will be sweating it out in the days ahead.
(MORE: Current Temperatures)
The heat could help clinch one of the hottest Julys on record for some Northwest cities, and it will be even hotter than usual for most of northern California and Nevada as well.
In some Northeast cities, highs in the 90s will be common into next week, bringing a bona fide heat wave to many cities.
Let's break down the forecast details on this summery weather pattern for both regions.
Northeast: Heat Wave Possible in Some Cities
Forecast Highs
Wednesday was the hottest day so far in 2015 in New York City (96 degrees) and Albany, New York (95 degrees). Concord, New Hampshire, set a daily record high of 96 degrees, beating the old record for July 29 of 95 degrees set in 1949
Highs will stay a handful of degrees above average for mainly eastern sections of the region into early next week.
For the most part, this heat in the Northeast will not be record breaking. However, the longevity of it will likely be greater than we've seen so far this summer in some cities.
(MORE: Daily Forecast Maps)
New York City is likely to see highs mainly in the low 90s into early next week. So far this year, the Big Apple has experienced six days with 90-degree heat. Highs in the 90s were recorded on back-to-back days for just the second time this year on Tuesday and Wednesday. A heat advisory has been issued through Thursday evening for the immediate New York City metro area for heat index values in the middle to upper 90s.
Highs in Hartford, Connecticut, and Albany, New York, will likely be in the low 90s or upper 80s into next week. Albany saw its third 90-degree day of 2015 on Tuesday.
Farther south, the Mid-Atlantic will sizzle through highs in the low to middle 90s into next week, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Washington, D.C. has already seen its fair share of 90s in 2015, with 31 days total through Wednesday. They will likely meet or exceed their annual average number of 90-degree days in the next week which is 36.
An excessive heat warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for much of the Philadelphia metro area until Thursday evening.
By early next week, some cities could meet the definition for a heat wave in the Northeast, which is generally defined in that region as three or more days in a row with temperatures at or above 90 degrees.
Northwest: Clinching a Record Hot July?
Heat Alerts
Forecast Highs
Forecast Highs
A strong ridge of high pressure is building over the Northwest as the jet stream bulges northward to the Canadian border. This is allowing temperatures 5 to 20 degrees above average to take hold across parts of northern California, Oregon and Washington into the weekend, while also spreading to portions of Idaho and Montana.
(MORE: Strange July Weather Pattern Brings Snow, Tornadoes)
It's a fitting end to what will be one of the hottest Julys on record in parts of the Northwest. Seattle, Washington, and Eugene, Oregon, were both seeing their hottest July on record as of July 27, according to data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center. July was the second warmest on record through July 27 in Portland, Oregon, and Yakima, Washington.
High temperatures near 100 degrees are forecast for the Portland, Oregon, area Thursday and Friday, with middle to upper 90s expected this weekend. A heat advisory is in effect for Portland and other portions of the Willamette Valley through Friday.
Seattle will likely see highs near 90 degrees Thursday through Saturday. The Emerald City saw its ninth 90-degree day of 2015 on Wednesday, which equals their record most in a calendar year set in 1958. Seattle averages just two days with 90-degree heat annually. A heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Pudget Sound area through Saturday.
The hot, dry conditions are also increasing the wildfire danger across the Pacific Northwest. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for this fire danger in western parts of Oregon and Washington through Friday.
For parts of central and eastern Washington, this round of hot temperatures probably won't be quite as intense as the late-June record-breaking heat wave. Yakima peaked at 108 degrees in that heat wave, setting a June record. This time around highs are forecast to be 100 to 107 degrees into early next week. Spokane hit 105 degrees in late-June, but should hold in the middle 90s to near 100 degrees Thursday through the weekend.
Farther south, Medford, Oregon, could approach 110 degrees Thursday and Friday. The high temperature has only reached 110 degrees there on nine days since 1911 – on average, one day per decade.
On the other hand, Boise, Idaho, will just squeak past 100 degrees for a few days late this week. Idaho's capital should fall well short of its June 28 high of 110 degrees, which set an all-time record for June.
In Northern California, highs on Thursday are expected to be in the 110s in Redding, with low 100s forecast in Sacramento. Sacramento (downtown) set a daily record high of 107 degrees on Wednesday, while Redding topped out at 111 degrees. Temperatures will trend downward in both of these cities by this weekend, but it will remain hot.
For parts of Montana, this will be quite a change from the way the week started. For example, Missoula, Montana, saw rain with temperatures in the upper 40s and 50s on Monday afternoon. Highs could be in the low 90s there by Thursday and remain in the 90s into early next week.
High elevation areas that saw snow on Monday in the northern Rockies will also see significant temperature rises. Big Sky, Montana, could be near 80 degrees this weekend.
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