WASHINGTON, USA — The mountain was out in western Washington Sunday -- a sight that's become familiar during a stretch of warm, clear but dry weather Seattle has been enjoying for several days. But as residents took in high but pleasant temperatures, much of the country was taking a breath after disasters -- or still coping with severe weather.
Washington state, too, is under a drought advisory, with high concerns about fire danger and officials stressing the need for safety.
The WA Department of Ecology issued that drought advisory after the state saw its warmest May on record, melting snowpack and causing an initial surge for rivers -- though that effect has since passed. Now, most streamflows are projected to be 75% below normal, according to a release.
It comes as the University of Washington's Office of the State Climatologist reports June temperatures were above normal for most of the state, with below-normal precipitation. In a July newsletter, the office forecasted a 3-month outlook with temperatures likely to be above average. There are also concerns about the potential impacts of El Niño, which could contribute to hot conditions.
Meanwhile, researchers reported a record-high global temperature earlier this month, and just days ago, NOAA said this summer Earth had its hottest June on record, with global sea surface temperatures hitting a record high. While generally hot, Arizona is bracing for a "high chance of extreme temperatures," as California copes with a heat wave. For the east coast and Midwest, wildfire smoke was a hot topic as record-breaking wildfires in Canada dramatically reduced air quality across much of the United States.