National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat Persists Across the Central and Western U.S.; Fire Weather Concerns in the Rockies and High Plains

Record-breaking heat expected in the Central and Western U.S. for the next several days. Gusty winds and low relative humidity will create elevated to critical fire weather conditions over portions of the Rockies and High Plains Wednesday and Thursday. Rain and mountain snow are possible across the Pacific Northwest into the Rockies through Wednesday. Read More >

This visible satellite image on the morning of 13 Jul 2001 shows a number of interesting weather features. One of the more notable features is the shadow cast by the high clouds over the Washington coast onto the lower stratus clouds over the ocean. This image was taken at 5:15 am (10 minutes after sunrise in Spokane), when the sun was to the right of the image.

Also apparent in this image is the fog in the Silver Valley of north Idaho, wild fire smoke along the east slopes of the Washington Cascades, and morning thunderstorms.

Visible Satellite Image