San Francisco, Calif. – The West Coast is heading into an unusually warm and dry stretch as September winds down, with temperatures expected to run above seasonal averages from California to Washington. The shift could heighten fire danger and strain water resources across the region.
According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, much of the western United States will trend hotter than normal from September 20 through September 26. Rainfall will stay limited during this same period, with California and the Pacific Northwest leaning drier than average while only parts of the northern Rockies see increased chances for moisture.
Southern California and interior valleys face the greatest heat risk, with highs pushing well above normal. In Northern California, Sacramento could see temperatures climbing into the 90s, while the Bay Area stays warm and dry with limited marine influence. Oregon’s Willamette Valley and western Washington, including Seattle, will also trend warmer than average, extending the region’s late-summer dryness.
Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning, monitor local fire restrictions, and conserve water where possible. Cooling centers may open in urban areas if prolonged heat develops.
The warm, dry pattern is expected to dominate the West Coast through late September, with only minor shifts possible heading into early October.
