How well did the summer weather outlook do?

Back in May, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s summer weather outlook for western Washington offered increased odds on warmer than average temperatures for May through September. For precipitation, it had even odds on above, below or near normal.

Even though the summer season is not over yet, how has this extended weather outlook done?

At Sea-Tac Airport, the months of May, June, July and thus far in August have all had temperatures average above normal. For instance, July was 3.5 degrees above average and May was 3.1 degrees above. Other locations, like Bellingham, Olympia and Hoquiam, were also above average.

Sea-Tac Airport averages three days per year of 90 degrees or warmer and 35 days of 80 degrees or warmer. With the rest of August and September to go, Sea-Tac has had four days of 90 or warmer and 33 days of 80 or better. The airport averages 85 days per year of 70 degrees or warmer and thus far this year, has had 82 days of 70 or better.

During the summer, precipitation has been relatively dry with the exception of two unusually wet days – July 23 and the evening of August 12 and morning of August 13. Even with those couple of wet days, summer precipitation for June, July, and August has been close to average.

So the summer weather outlook issued last spring indicating increased odds of warmer than average temperatures verified quite well.

What does the rest of this summer look like? The outlook for September is again for increased odds of warmer than average temperatures even though the start of the month has higher odds of cooler temperatures. The precipitation outlook remains equal chances of above, below or near average conditions.

Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the end of summer for many, even though the autumn equinox is not until the evening of September 22. It is common to have some sunny warm days in the closing weeks of summer.

What does the start of Labor Day weekend look like? Check the forecast here.