The West Forecast to See Sizzling Temperatures Before a Surge of Moisture

The western U.S. could see a dose of tropical moisture in the coming week, working to cut the heat and sunshine that has been beating down on the region over the weekend. Here is a closer look at the weather pattern change that is expected in the days ahead.

Dry and Hot for Much of the West in Near Future

The Desert Southwest could get in on some of the moisture that is currently circulating within what was once Tropical Storm Mario. While this system did not remain a named feature for long, the moisture remaining with the disturbance is forecast to move into the southwestern U.S. in the coming week.

In the short term, it is forecast to remain dry and warm for much of the West. This will be a change for the Four Corners region, an area that has been under the gun of frequent rain showers and thunderstorms as of late. For example, New Mexico recorded winds of over 70 mph on Friday while a landspout tornado roared through southeastern Arizona on the same day.

The Pacific Northwest will be the exception to the dry weather to close out the weekend. A fast-moving storm is forecast to race through this corner of the country on Sunday, bringing a surge of cooler temperatures and the threat of rain showers.

The start of the work week will bring rising temperatures for the majority of the western U.S. You can expect temperatures to hover at about 5 to 10 degrees above the historical average during the first part of the week.

Temperatures are predicted to peak on Tuesday, hitting the upper 90s across the Central Valley region of California. Some areas may even have a shot at cracking the century mark. The heat will feel quite noticeable in this part of the Golden State following a stretch of weather featuring readings falling just below the historical average for this time of the year.

Tuesday will also be the toastiest day of the week for the Pacific Northwest. Highs will climb into the mid 80s for Seattle. The Emerald City will see plentiful sunshine and light winds, making it feel even warmer. Temperatures will cool noticeably on Wednesday with a forecast high at about the 70-degree mark.

A new record could be set in Portland with a forecast high in the upper 80s. The previous record of 92 degrees was set back in 1994. The forecast is also calling for sunny skies and winds out of the east-northeast at 10 to 15 mph on Tuesday in Portland. The mercury will dip back into the mid 70s on Wednesday and Thursday in this part of Oregon.