The Cooling Has Begun

 The differences in temperature between noon today (Wednesday) and yesterday are quite large west of the Cascade crest (see plot below).  Some locations are 15-20F cooler, particularly across southwest Washington and NW Oregon.

The Columbia Basin temperatures were relatively unchanged.

With cooler air moving in across the coastal region, low-level air pressure is increasing there, producing an enhanced difference in pressure across the Cascades.

Such increased pressure differences increase westerly winds (winds from the west), and we can see the wind strengthening over the eastern slopes of the Cascades.  For example, the wind at Ellensburg is now gusting above 35 mph (see plot below).

Such increased winds result in increased wind energy generation (see green line below), which is good...we need it.

The next few days should bring steadily declining temperatures over western Washington.

Let me show you the state-of-the-art UW ensemble of many high-resolution forecasts for Seattle temperatures.  High around 85F today and 80F tomorrow.  Temperatures at night decline to the upper 50s.  Decent sleep beckons. 

The National Weather Service NBM forecast is similar and very boring.  No heat waves. No cold waves.  Just perfect weather rising into the lower 80s.

In contrast, the Tri-Cities will remain around 100F for the same period  (see below).

No rain is predicted on either side of the Cascades during the next week.  

Enjoy the weather.