Report: Odds are summer in Seattle will be warmer than average
May 20, 2014, 2:12 PM | Updated: May 21, 2014, 3:31 pm
The latest National Weather Service summer weather outlook was released late last week from the Climate Prediction Center or CPC. What does it offer for western Washington?
The outlook indicates increased odds on warmer than normal temperatures for the entire period June through September. Those odds offer a 60 to 70 percent chance of warmer than average temperatures for the four month period, meaning only a 30 to 40 percent chance of average or below normal temperatures.
For precipitation, the odds are equal for below, near average or above normal precipitation for the same four month period. Yet, June through September is already the driest period of the year. For example, Seattle averages about 4.5 inches of rain total during these four months or only about 10 percent of the entire year’s precipitation. Olympia averages close to 5 inches of rain total during the four month period, while Bellingham averages nearly 6 inches.
This seasonal outlook does not promise a warm, dry summer. Yet, the odds are sure in favor of at least warmer than average temperatures into September. The CPC seasonal outlooks are updated on the third Thursday of each month.
To see the outlook yourself, check out the NWS Seattle website.
