~Summer Around the Pacific Northwest~
RED FLAG WARNINGS have been extended through early Sunday for parts of our forecast area * Click here for all the latest information.......
Exclusive Inland NW Summary Issued: Thursday, September 10, 2026 @ 9:00pm
WRITTEN BY: Climatologist Bob Lutz
(Summaries are issued as needed and will be updated more frequently during times of active weather)
SHORT-TERM FORECAST
Cooler air will continue to filter into the forecast area as lower pressure once again begins to take over the pattern. Model discrepancies continue as to where precipitation will occur later Saturday into Sunday, but recent trends are showing better chances for measurable rain over much of our forecast area beginning Saturday night, leading to a cool and rainy day on Sunday; however, amounts remain uncertain. There is even a chance for a few thunderstorms! Temperatures will remain on the cooler side of normal, and it will be breezy at times as well. Some models are forecasting the chance of scattered showers again on Monday and Tuesday, but that will all depend on how fast this latest storm moves out of the Northwest.
LONG-TERM FORECAST
There are strong indicators showing a return of higher pressure as the 3rd week of September progresses. This should bring with it drier, warmer weather around midweek, which should then continue into next weekend. In fact, temperatures are forecast to rise to above normal averages as we head toward the end of the workweek, with little chance of any measurable precipitation. This pattern would be more typical of September weather, and it may persist for several days!
SPECIAL WINTER OUTLOOK COMMENTARY
The forecast of a "super El Nino" already has a few of our local meterologists pulling the trigger on predicting yet another dry winter, but I have to say that I strongly disagree with making such a prediction this early on! I have been watching this equatorial Pacific phenomenon for over 40 years, and quite frankly, I have seen some El Nino winters come with much better precipitation than many of our recent La Niña events, which are "supposed" to be cold and wet. Prime examples are what happened last year AND the winter before. The basis of my disagreement is that there are many other weather phenomena that interconnect to form our weather patterns here in the Northwest. The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) certainly have more of an effect on the outcome of our Northwest winters than the stand-alone monitoring of the water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Add in the unpredictability of the Arctic Oscillation (which can change course in just a matter of days) and you can clearly see why making a prediction this far out is a bit premature! So in summary, don't hang up those skis or sell the winter gear quite yet, as there is certainly much more to monitor in the weeks ahead!
General Short-Term Model Agreement: FAIR
General Long-Term Model Agreement: GOOD
Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all those affected by the historic Northwest wildfires. The long-term recovery process is now underway, and it's never too late to help. Please consider making a charitable donation by clicking on the icon below. With Innovia, your donation stays local, and they have much lower overhead which means more of your money goes to the fire victims...
