Late August outlook

Just getting back into the swing of things after a week off with family. It was the first time in my life to visit the Pacific Northwest. Everyone has always told me how beautiful the scenery is up there, and they were definitely not lying. It was nice to have some sunshine while we were there and even chances to enjoy some GREAT visibility.

Here's a view of Mt. Rainier from my airplane window seat.

And a view of Snoqualmie Falls (just east of Seattle)

The weather was warm there (highs in the 80s), but nothing like Kansas heat and humidity. ☺

Rainfall numbers as we pass the halfway point in August:

The rainfall lately has been a little strange. It's been very heavy in some areas, while other places are flat out getting missed. It goes that way sometimes. I don't think anybody would've guessed that Goodland would have such high numbers at this point in the month, but northwest Kansas has been in the right place recently with several waves of storms pushing through. Even Salina has dealt with some flooding in recent weeks, so things aren't in too bad of shape there.

Rainfall numbers from June 1st through August 16th: (remember that meteorological summer began on June 1st)

The next 8-10 days should be rather hot for much of the central Plains:

The heat dome is trying so hard to hold on in the central and southern Plains, so it's not looking like August is going to end on a cool note. We are still about a month away from the official start to fall and normal high temperatures are still in the low 90s. So what's being forecast in the next week shouldn't be a huge surprise. I don't think it will be record setting but we certainly have some hot weather to get through before our next cool down.
And the following week (last full week in August) also looks very warm/hot - several areas just east of Kansas will begin cooling down in the last week of the month, but my expectations are that Kansas will continue to be on the hot side.

Rainfall: The areas getting heavy rains lately are likely to still be in the running for more precipitation over the next couple of weeks. With the high pressure setting over southern Colorado, that will keep most of the bigger rains just northeast of our area.

Did you see the updated drought monitor? The area has expanded from the previous map that came out August 8th. Some of the areas along I-70 have been removed from drought, but we are now moving into the second category of drought for southwest Kansas, considered "moderate" drought.

Drought - Aug. 8

Most recent drought map - out this week

Have a great weekend. Thanks for spending a few minutes here.