Ignition of Pacific Storm Train Will Cool the West After Historic Heat

The Pacific storm train is back in action in the western U.S. In addition to bringing the chance of rain, isolated thunderstorms, and mountain snow next week, the temperatures will also take a tumble as the storms move into the region. Here is a closer look at the expected timing and impact areas of the more active weather pattern headed this way.

Three Pacific Storms to Bring Relief from Heat and Dry Conditions

The record-breaking heat in the West is going to come to a screeching halt next week as the Pacific storm train chugs back to life. It has been an unseasonably hot stretch of weather for the western U.S. Nearly 700 monthly record highs have been broken during the current heat wave. This is in addition to the over 2,000 daily record highs.

Phoenix notched three straight days with temperatures at 105 degrees or higher between March 19 and 21. It was even hotter in Palm Springs, California, when the mercury soared to 108 degrees. Yuma, Arizona, came in with a top reading of 109 degrees during the peak of the heat wave. For context, these readings are more typically seen during June and July.

While temperatures have eased a bit over the interior portions of the Southwest over the last few days, forecasters are warning that another surge of heat will spread over the region heading into the weekend. It is likely that more record highs will be set as the heat builds once again. The short-term forecast is calling for the heat to spread into the interior West and the Great Plains over the next few days before the significant relief begins to arrive on Sunday and Monday.

Timing and Impact Zones of Moisture

Three different storms will push into various parts of the western U.S. beginning on Sunday. The first event will be the weakest of the trio, sending moisture from the subtropical Pacific into Mexico and portions of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado on Sunday and Monday.