Stormy Conditions Headed to Western U.S.

A major change in the weather is headed to the western U.S. While the cooler temperatures may be a relief for those ready for fall, the stormy conditions will amplify wildfire concerns. Here is a look at what to expect the rest of the week out West.

Western U.S. in Store for Cooler Temperatures and Surge of Moisture

A band of storms and cooler air is pushing into the western U.S. from the Pacific. The moisture is good news for fire crews working to contain the growing blazes in California and beyond. However, the gusty conditions and frequent lightning strikes associated with the storms will present their own set of risks.

On the surface, cool air and rain seem like a welcome addition when fighting fires. A pronounced dip in the jet stream to the south will usher in the cooler air from the north while rain comes in from the Pacific. You can expect temperatures to dip 10 to 20 degrees below the historical average for much of Washington, Oregon, California, and into Nevada and Utah.

For instance, Lake Tahoe, California, will struggle to climb out of the mid to upper 50s for daily highs on Wednesday and Thursday. For comparison, the historical average for the middle of September for this resort town is readings in the mid 70s.

Moving farther to the south, Las Vegas will see the mercury top out at the 90-degree mark by Thursday and Friday. While this is still toasty by any standard, the norm for this time of the year in Sin City is readings in the upper 90s. Los Angeles will fall about 5 degrees below the average with highs in the upper 70s and near 80 degrees in the forecast for the bulk of the week.

The cooler weather will expand to the east, stopping short of crossing over the Rocky Mountains. After experiencing highs near the 90-degree mark on Tuesday and Wednesday, Salt Lake City will top out in the low 80s on Thursday and the upper 70s on Friday.

The unseasonably cool weather and storms are forecast to linger across the western states through the end of the work week and into the start of the weekend. The long-range forecast models indicate that the dip in the jet stream will start to dissolve over the weekend, bringing the mercury back up to normal levels. The warmer weather will pair with the weakening of the moisture machine.