REACCH scientist John Abatzoglou explains why July and August were so hot.

Aside from a few locations in mid-latitudes, July and August are the warmest months of the year. However, the northwestern US experienced extraordinary warmth over the past 6-8 weeks with most locations 2-3 degrees C (3-5 F) above normal adding to the crescendo of the hottest time of the year.

Visit his blog at Climate of the Inland Northwest US: weather, climate and why they matter in the inland northwest.