We are getting a better look at current conditions across the U.S. with the latest Drought Monitor released just this morning.
This past week a major heat wave brought temperatures anywhere from 3-12 degrees above normal for much of the western portion of the country.
Meanwhile, the central Rockies and Great Lakes saw a cool down with temperatures there falling 3-9 degrees below normal.
Precipitation varied across the country with monsoon moisture bringing heavy rain and even flash flooding to the southwest. Daily thunderstorms and rain caused flash flooding in the southeast and mid-Atlantic, lessening drought conditions in those areas, but not bringing complete drought relief. Drought conditions also improved in western Texas, while drought expanded in the Ohio Valley, western High Plains, and New England.
Those above-normal temperatures, coupled with wind and dry conditions, have led to dozens of wildfires in the West.
Unfortunately, the heat wave blanketing the region is set to stretch into Idaho and Montana over the next several days before providing the relief of milder temperatures this weekend.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, an estimated 20 fires burning across the state scorched more than 100,000 acres.
Fires have also broken out in states like Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research team recently tested next-generation wildfire detection and warning tools.
Their Fire Weather Testbed uses artificial intelligence to quickly identify fires from geostationary satellite data and rapidly sends information to forecasters and land managers, reducing response times.
Over a week, they ran seven simulations with fire weather forecasters and state fire managers.
A National Weather Service official said that the evaluation was complex and they look forward to deploying the technology to support wildfire operations nationwide.
