The Inland Northwest has enjoyed a nearly perfect spring week, with temperatures very warm, and winds very light.  And it looks like those conditions are going to continue for the foreseeable future.  Marilyn Lohmann with the National Weather Service said the Northwest is protected under a ridge of high pressure, leading to very warm temperatures, anywhere from 3-5 degrees above average.  And she notes the mercury will climb as the workweek continues, with 90's expected in some portions of the lower Columbia Basin.

 

“With those really warm temperatures, and 80's elsewhere, relative humidity is going to be dropping relatively low and it’s kind of early to be dealing with low relative humidity.  While that might be good for people with some early hay down and activities like that, it might put a little bit of stress on some of the other crops that are just trying to get going.”

 

She notes these warm air temperatures will push soil temperatures higher by 3-5 degrees.  But, on the negative side, she says are soils are starting to dry out, especially in North Central Washington.

 

 

 

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