Blog Article
Nice Weather Forecast: Crisp Upper Midwest & Perfect PNW
Planning your weekend? The Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest are seeing perfect outdoor weather, offering a break from severe storms elsewhere.
Crisp Air for Grandma's Marathon and a Flawless West Coast Weekend
Y'all, the atmosphere is a study in extremes this weekend. If you have been following the main forecasts, you know we have a lot going on. The Gulf Coast is dealing with relentless tropical moisture and flooding, while the Central Plains are facing a significant severe weather setup today.
But if you look at the Nice Weather outlook page, a completely different story is unfolding across the northern tier of the country. A stable, dry airmass is delivering some of the most comfortable air of the entire summer to the Upper Midwest and the West Coast.
Marathon-Worthy Weather in the Upper Midwest
Let us start in Minnesota and Wisconsin. If you are lacing up your running shoes for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth this morning, you are in luck. The weather could not be better for a long run or a morning cheering on the sidelines.
We are seeing incredibly high scores on our comfort index just south of Duluth today. Towns like Barnum and Sandstone, Minnesota, are posting near-flawless scores of 97 and 96, landing them right in our Perfect category. What makes this air so great? It is all about the lack of humidity. Dewpoints are hovering in the crisp low 50s. Instead of the muggy, heavy air we often see in late June, it feels light and refreshing. High temperatures will top out in the comfortable low 70s with virtually zero chance of rain during the day.
The Pacific Northwest's Flawless Run
Heading west, the Pacific Northwest is locked into a spectacular weekend pattern. Seattle and Portland are both sitting at a 92 overall score today, and they will hold onto those top-tier conditions right through Sunday.
The mornings might start with a typical marine layer of clouds along the coast, but those will burn off beautifully by late morning. If you are heading to the ballpark on Sunday to watch the Mariners host the Red Sox, the weather will be fantastic. Expect inland temperatures in the 70s to low 80s, light breezes around 10 mph, and abundant afternoon sunshine.
California's Inland Comfort and a Quick Caveat
Down in California, the inland valleys and northern regions are continuing an impressive run. Cities like Redding and Gilroy are currently riding a 12-day streak of Nice or better weather. The air is dry, and temperatures are pleasantly seasonable before the intense heat of July arrives.
However, we do have a few caveats if your weekend plans involve heading into the mountains or traveling east. The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting critical fire weather conditions across the Great Basin and Four Corners region due to gusty winds and very dry vegetation. Additionally, with clear skies dominating the West Coast and Midwest, the UV index is running high around an 8. If you are going to be out on the trails or by the water, you will definitely need to keep the sunscreen handy.
Enjoy the fresh air this weekend, y'all, and stay safe if you are near the stormy regions down south.