After the winter-that-wasn't, what can Inland Northwest residents expect for the summer? University of Washington climatologist Cliff Mass isn't willing to make an unqualified prediction, but says "I believe the probability of a warm summer is quite high."
Mass noted that warmer than usual sea water temperatures in the eastern Pacific - anywhere from 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit above normal - have had a direct influence on air temperatures most of the winter. And he sees no reason to think that the anomaly won't persist into summer months.
He said the National Weather Service climate forecast models agree, as do widely used international models. Mass warned that long-term seasonal forecasts have an imperfect track record with - as he says - some major busts in recent memory. But he said there's a strong probability of a hot summer to come.
That brings with it a lesser chance of crop-ruining spring freezes in the eastern Washington growing region. Increased chances of wildfires. Higher humidity in the summer months. Oh, and on the plus side - a great tomato growing season.
