Drought-Stricken Northwest in the Line of Fire for Dry Lightning

Posted: July 18, 2021 9:52 am

The monsoon moisture that has been the story in the Southwest lately is now creeping northward. While this may bring much-needed precipitation to an area that needs it desperately, the weather pattern will also bring the possibility of lightning strikes that could potentially set off new wildfires.

Stormy Sunday for Some

The storms will begin to make their presence known in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday. Wind gusts will pick up throughout Washington and Oregon as the storms will be pushed northward in areas located east of the Cascade Mountains. This moisture will then spread to parts of Idaho and Montana early in the week.

How Much Moisture?

The big question surrounds how much moisture this movement will actually bring to the parched area. The system will not bring nearly as much rain to the Northwest as it has been dumping into the Southwest. Although Phoenix and other desert areas have benefited from this constant influx of moisture as of late, the high pressure hovering around the region will likely keep any potential rainfall on the lower end.

In addition, forecasters worry that the accompanying lightning may spark wildfires over the dry terrain. How the high-pressure system moves in the coming days will greatly influence where the moisture heads next.

Wildfires Already a Problem

Despite it only being the middle of July, the West is still experiencing a sudden uptick in wildfire activity. This does not bode well for the peak of the season still to come. Unfortunately for fire crews battling the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, this monsoon moisture and lightning may present more issues as they work to get this massive fire contained.

The cloud-to-ground lightning common in many of these monsoonal systems could ignite more blazes. Additionally, the current low humidity levels paired with the breezy conditions may exacerbate the situation further.

It is not unusual for dry lightning to be the cause of wildfires, especially in areas that are already dealing with severe drought conditions. According to the US Forest Service, lightning strikes were the culprit for over 70% of new fires between the years 1992-2015.

2021 Off to a Hot Start

It is no wonder that fire experts are already on edge. There have been nearly 35,000 wildfires already recorded across the US in 2021, responsible for the destruction of over 2 million acres. This number compares to over 28,000 fires by this same date in 2020, a year that went on to see a historic number of blazes.

According to the US Drought Monitor, more than 60% of the West is now under extreme drought. In Oregon, 55% of the state is under extreme drought with 89% under at least a severe drought umbrella.

Who is at Risk

As this monsoonal moisture treks northward in the coming days, a number of popular summer destinations will be in the line of fire for inclement weather and dry lightning strikes. This includes Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada; Boise, Idaho; and Bozeman, Montana.

Tourists planning outdoor activities in these areas through Tuesday need to be vigilant about the fire danger posed by lightning. It is also important to heed all campfire restrictions.

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