Warmer and dryer still holds true

By on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – July was warmer and dryer than average in July in the Columbia Basin. The Climate Prediction Center says it’s probably going to stay that way for the next three months.

“Unfortunately, we’re looking at a 40 to 50 percent chance of above normal temperatures and a 33 to 40 percent chance of below normal precipitation,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Camden Plunkett said.

For the month of July, while it was hotter than normal, no records were set in Pendleton. In Walla Walla, a record low of 52 was recorded on July 26. Hermiston set two records for heat. One was for 103 on July 15 and the other was 104 on July 20. A record low was recorded in Hermiston at 50 degrees on the 27th.

Plunkett points out that it’s harder to set records in Pendleton, because statistics have been kept since 1892. Weather records have only been maintained at the Walla Walla Regional Airport since 1949; and at the Hermiston Municipal Airport since 1998.