Northwestern US to face rainy Memorial Day weekend while fire threat grips Southwest

By Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist

May 23, 2018, 8:54:05 PM EDT

It will be a tale of two forecasts in the western United States this weekend as storms dampen the Northwest but heat and drought persist in the Southwest.

"Those spending their Memorial Day in the northern and central Rockies and Great Basin regions will have to be on the lookout for spotty afternoon thunderstorms developing over the mountains," warned AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda. 

Anyone headed out into the back country to go hiking, camping and climbing for the holiday weekend will need to be wary of lightning and hail in any afternoon storms. Exposed, high-elevation areas are especially dangerous areas to be caught in a thunderstorm.

These areas include the Sierra Nevada of California and the Cascades of Oregon and Washington. Farther inland, more frequent and heavy periods of precipitation are expected over the northern Rockies, resulting in a cooldown for Sunday and Monday.

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"Any hikers in places like Yellowstone National Park or the Bitterroot National Forest or even farther south into the Wasatch Range should watch for rapidly rising clouds and have a plan for seeking shelter from lightning should a thunderstorm get close," Sojda said.

Farther south, a much different weather pattern will persist. Extreme drought conditions gripping the Southwest are expected to persist unabated, with no rainfall expected in southern Colorado, southern Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.

High pressure is anticipated to maintain clear and calm conditions, with plenty of strong sunshine. 

While strong winds are not expected, the fire threat will remain high as fireworks and grills are utilized for the holiday weekend.

"Celebrations in this area should be especially careful with any open barbecues or fireworks, and residents should be careful to know and heed any local restrictions on water or fireworks," said Sojda.

Residents and tourists in coastal areas such as Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles will enjoy plenty of sunshine and seasonable temperatures.