Rising Temperatures Will Send Wildfire Risks Higher Out West

The western U.S. is going to see a mixed bag of weather this week, ranging from the typical monsoon storms to heat and the increased risk of wildfires and the accompanying smoke. Here is a look at what you can expect in the days ahead.

The West to See a Mix of Storms, Heat, and Wildfire Smoke This Week

A ridge of high pressure across the western and central U.S. and its movement will dictate the upcoming weather pattern. Not only will this ridge influence the emergence of moisture but it will also determine where the wildfire smoke travels.

The North American monsoon season has begun to flex its muscles over the Desert Southwest over the last few weeks. This has translated to locally severe storms that have triggered flash flooding for the interior portions of the region. However, the coastal areas of the West have remained mostly dry.

The Four Corners region has also seen an uptick in rainfall lately thanks to the region of higher pressure that is centered over the interior Southwest and into the south-central U.S. This weather pattern has sent a steady flow of moisture from the Pacific Ocean into the Four Corners with the winds from the south and southeast amplifying the afternoon thunderstorm activity for the Southwest.

The forecast for the next few days is calling for a decrease in the amount of monsoon moisture for the northern portions of Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming. Locations to the south around the Four Corners will remain under the threat of daily monsoon storms for the balance of the week.

While the Northwest will start the week off on a soggy note, an area of high pressure will push into this corner of the country beginning Tuesday. This movement will lay the groundwork for the monsoon moisture to sneak back into the Four Corners by the middle of the week. California may even get in on some of this rain by the end of the week. This means those with travel plans across the higher terrains of Southern California and the Sierra Nevada should be prepared for the chance of rare precipitation just in time for the weekend.