First Alert Weather In-Depth: Western Sizzle

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Some folks are saying that it feels like we are reaching the end of summer here in Rochester. And that bares out when you look at the temperature over the last couple of weeks.

The first week of August we had temperatures that were at or above normal for this time of the year. We were well into the 80s and low 90s, but during this last week, the temperature has been at or below normal.

So what is going on? The answer is certainly a part of the overall weather pattern. The upper-level winds or the jet stream have been bringing in the cooler air, but we see the heat building through the western portion of the country. Let’s talk about the sizzling West. The western states can expect record high temperatures over the next couple of days to be running 15 to 20 degrees above normal. And if you get this kind of heat it will lead to eventually some very dry conditions and that is a problem with the increased fire risk.

We pick just a few examples or a couple of locations that really illustrates the heat. First, there is Spokane, Washington where the temperature is going to be near 100 degrees and then there is Fresno, California where temperature readings will reach 108 degrees.