June 2017 Temperature Outlook: Warmer West Coast and East; Cooler in Parts of Plains and West

Linda Lam
Published: May 27,2017
The East and West coasts are expected to see warmer temperatures build in June, according to the most recent outlook by The Weather Company, an IBM Business.
The Northwest coast is expected to experience temperatures the farthest above average in June – a big change compared to much of the winter and spring. The Northwest has warmed in May, and temperatures in Seattle and Portland will likely end the month slightly above average.
(MORE: A Fascinating New Way to Define the Season)
Much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic is also expected to see temperatures warmer than average overall in June.

June 2017 temperature outlook from The Weather Company, an IBM Business.

The Midwest and most of the South will likely see temperatures near to slightly above average, while areas from Arizona and West Texas northward through much of Montana and into western Minnesota have the best chance of slightly cooler-than-average overall June temperatures.
(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast)
Much of the U.S. has experienced a generally cool May, and this trend will likely persist into early June. This overall pattern resulted from two negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) events, which typically result in widespread cooler temperatures, especially across the North. Changes in the upper-level pattern are anticipated as the month progresses.
"The latest guidance suggests that the ridging will retrogress back into the northeastern Pacific (Ocean) during the first week of the month, which would act to shift the focus of the cooler temperatures from the eastern U.S. to the central U.S. with time, and would allow the eastern U.S. to warm up," said Dr. Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist with The Weather Company.
Crawford points out, however, there are concerns the end of June may become cooler again, as there is an increasing chance for more negative NAO conditions.
(MORE: Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season Expected)
This weather pattern has also brought very wet conditions to much of the eastern half of the U.S. Consequently, soil moisture is high, which may help to reduce temperatures in areas generally east of the Rockies, with the possible exception of the Northeast.

Average Highs in June

It's important to keep in mind the forecast is just an overall expectation for the month, and the forecast is compared to average temperatures.
(MAPS: Average High and Low Temperatures)
While the Northwest coast is expected to see temperatures the farthest above average, June highs are typically in the 60s and 70s. Much of the Northeast, which also has a higher chance of warmer temperatures, typically experiences 70s for highs, with 80s toward the mid-Atlantic in June.
June temperatures could also be cooler than average in the Rockies and northern Plains, where highs in the 70s are typical during the month. This cooler risk also extends into portions of Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas, where temperatures normally top out in the 90s and 100s in June.

MORE: The American Southwest

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.