Hot and hazy today. Heatwave peaks again by Sunday.

NWS Pendleton has issued a Heat Advisory for the Kittitas Valley, Yakima Valley, and Lower Columbia Basin. This runs until 10 PM this evening.

Today : After the round of thunderstorms yesterday, we’ll go back to a more typical summer forecast for Thursday. By that, we mean it’ll be a hot, hazy, and sunny day. Highs will be about 10-degrees above average–similar to yesterday. It’ll be in the upper-70s to mid-80s in the mountains, with low to mid-100s for the rest of the region. Winds will be fairly light for most spots, but shifting out of the west throughout the day. However, winds could still gust up to 20 MPH in the Kittitas Valley. Fire concerns are still elevated due to very dry fire fuels. Fire fuel energy across our area, compared to historical values, will be in the 97th to 98th percentiles. In other words, fires could still start and spread quickly!

Tonight : Light haze will stick around tonight, and overnight lows will continue their mild streak. It’ll be in the mid-50s in the Cascades, with low to mid-60s for the Blues, Kittitas/Yakima valleys, and the Lower Columbia Basin. Lows in the Blue Foothills will hover around 70 degrees. The strongest wind gusts will still be confined to the Kittitas Valley–gusting out of the northwest up to 30 MPH.

Extended : Highs will stay pretty steady through Saturday, but then they could jump up on Sunday. It’ll be about 15 degrees above average by then (close to 110 degrees in the Tri Cities). However, it appears as if some slightly cooler weather is on the way for Monday, and then much cooler by Tuesday/Wednesday. By that time frame, highs could return to normal values for late July (mid-90s in the Tri-Cities). In part, the culprit for cooler weather will be small shower/thunderstorm chances from Sunday through Tuesday. For now, it looks as if Monday will be the most favorable day for thunderstorms. That’s more bad news for fire start prospects, as fire fuels will still be very energized and chomping at the bit to be burned!

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