~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: Friday, August 28, 2026 @ 10:30am
WRITTEN BY: Climatologist Bob Lutz
(Summaries are issued as needed and will be updated more frequently during times of active weather)
SHORT-TERM FORECAST
A significant pattern change will continue to unfold through the weekend as lower pressure replaces the most recent high pressure ridge. The result will be breezy conditions at times along with below normal temperatures. In fact, in areas under a clear sky overnight lows will be the chilliest we have seen since spring. There will also be occasional cloud cover, but precipitation looks rather sparse with only the chance of a few scattered, mainly light showers. The better chance of more widespread shower activity will be in the mountains. Drier, slightly warmer weather will greet us for the start of the new work week before more changes get underway shortly thereafter.
LONG-TERM FORECAST
Models have become a bit more bullish of late at increasing the chances of measurable rainfall around midweek! With higher pressure now out of the picture for a while, storminess over the Gulf of Alaska will continue to try and make a run at the Inland Northwest. As such, the chances of measurable precipitation will be on the increase as we move through the latter part of the new work week, that is unless there are some last-minute changes in the model predictions, which have occurred numerous times this summer... Stay tuned!!
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: GOOD
General Long-Term Model Agreement: FAIR
Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all those affected by the historic Northwest wildfires this season. Please consider making a donation by clicking on the icons below. Having been a part of the Oregon Road Fire Long-Term Recovery Team, I can attest to the fact that these two organizations will keep your donation local. In addition, Innovia has a much lower overhead, which means more of your money goes to the fire victims. Each link will take you directly to the local donation page...
