High temps to continue next week

Lewiston could set a new triple digit temperature streak next week.

Friday registered a high of 100 degrees at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport, marking the sixth straight day the temperature has hit at least the century mark. The city is forecast to be 100 degrees or hotter every day through Friday. If that happens, Lewiston will break its long-standing record of 11 straight days of triple digit temperatures Thursday and pad the record Friday.

The high mark was first set in 1897 but has been matched three times — in 1938, 1967 and most recently in 2021. It could be touch and go. While the forecast calls for a robust 105 degrees today and 104 on Sunday, Monday’s forecast calls for 101 degrees, leaving just a two-degree margin. It is forecast be 102 on Tuesday, 106 Wednesday, 105 Thursday and 104 on Friday.

Meteorologist Daniel Butler said in addition to hot weather, Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and surrounding area will be dry. There is no precipitation in the seven day forecast. Lewiston hasn’t seen rain since June 17 when .021 inches was recorded. For the year, Lewiston has received 6.91 inches, a little more than 1 inch behind the average 8.09 inches. Pullman is about 1.5 inches below its year-to-day precipitation.

University of Idaho Nez Perce County Extension agent Doug Finkelnburg said the winter wheat crop that was planted last fall may suffer minimally because of the hot weather but is looking pretty good for quality. It could be another story for wheat planted in the spring.

“We haven’t had a lot of moisture this June and we could see some decreased yield as a result of the heat spell,” he said.

The Pomeroy Ranger District of the Umatilla National Forest set its fire danger rating at high and the entire forest adopted rules Friday designed to lessen the chances of accidental starts. Chain saws can’t be operated between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., campfires are restricted to fire earthen, metal or rock fire rings, smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles, and motor vehicles can not travel off designated routes.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has banned campfires and recreational shooting on the land it manages in eastern Washington.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273.