Weather Eye: ‘Pleasant and dry’ should dominate the forecasts until autumn

It sure seems like the summer is just flying — in a few weeks, September will be here and it will be autumn for us weather and climate folks. Oct. 12 this year will be the 50th anniversary of the Columbus Day windstorm of 1962. Boy, I remember that just like yesterday with a firm implant in my memory.

Rainfall reports from last month from your friends and neighbors weren’t much to write home about with most reports between a quarter-inch and a half-inch of rain. The heaviest were Nancy Ellifrit of Mount Vista, with 0.98 of an inch, and Bob Starr of Cougar, with 1.02 inches. The least was Ellen Smart of Ridgefield with just a tenth of an inch.

I have had several inquiries about the lack of mosquitoes this summer. I didn’t really pay attention, but I haven’t had any bites sitting outside in my backyard so far. Anyone else notice this?

By the way, while we had paltry rain in July, many areas of our state had deluges. Seattle had 1.70 inches; Olympia, 0.90 of an inch; Quillayute, 1.93 inches; Bellingham, 1.70 inches; and Vancouver, 0.24 of an inch. Omak in Eastern Washington got 3.21 inches, mainly in a few thunderstorms, and had severe flooding July 20.

There is still an El Niño watch out for this winter, though some climate models indicate neutral conditions. There’s not much chance of a third year in a row of La Niña.

For August through October, temperatures are equally likely to be equal to, below or above normal, with below-average precipitation likely. I think August will be pleasant and dry once we get past this weekend.

Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at weathersystems.com.