Air conditioners can be given a break and jackets and umbrellas will be needed for some as the coolest air since late May and early June grips the western United States into midweek.
"September got off to a hot start across much of the West, but afternoon highs will be 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit lower in most areas early this week compared to last week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and western U.S. blogger Brian Thompson said.
One wave of cool air pushed through the Pacific Northwest with locally heavy thunderstorms at the start of the weekend. In Seattle, lightning forced a delay during the NCAA football game between the California Golden Bears and Washington Huskies.
Lightning lights up clouds above Husky Stadium during a weather delay in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. Fans were directed to seek shelter in nearby buildings due to severe weather in the area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A reinforcing shot of cool air will spread through the Western states during the first half of this week, bringing relief from intense heat, even to the desert areas of the Southwest.
"Phoenix has not had a high temperature below 95 since May 29, and that streak may be broken in this cooldown," Thompson said.
Temperatures in Las Vegas are expected to dip into the lower 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday, which is about 5 degrees below average.
Dry, gusty winds sweeping in as temperatures are trimmed can create travel difficulties for motorists, especially high-profile vehicles, while elevating the risk of new wildfire ignition and spread.
Farther north, clouds and wet weather underneath the core of the cool air will put a damper on the wildfire threat.
Highs in the 60s and 70s, which are 10-15 degrees below normal, may have people grabbing for extra layers before heading out the door in places such as Salt Lake City; Medford, Oregon; Spokane, Washington; and Missoula, Montana.
Rain gear may also be needed at times.
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"Just like the cluster of thunderstorms that moved through the Seattle area Saturday night, there will be additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms across the Northwest through the middle of the week," Thompson said.
The main area that will be impacted by wet weather will be from Washington and Oregon, eastward through Idaho, Montana and northern Wyoming, according to Thompson.
People heading into the back country should make sure they have the proper gear to stay warm as the combination of the cool air and damp conditions will heighten the risk of hypothermia.
It is not out of the question for some wet snowflakes to fly at Yellowstone National Park late Tuesday into Wednesday as the chilly air moves in.
While these bouts of wet weather will have people grabbing umbrellas, extra layers and enduring slower travel on occasion, the rain will not be all bad news.
"Given the drought conditions across portions of Washington and Oregon, this rainfall will be welcome," Thompson said.
Drought conditions extend from northwestern Oregon into northwestern Montana, with western Washington enduring the worst of the drought, according to the outlook released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday, Sept. 5.
The Northwest may only get a brief period of sunshine and rebounding warmth on Thursday before more storms move in from Friday into next weekend.
Download the free AccuWeather app to keep track of temperature trends in your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios .
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