Any moisture that might have been in the picture on Labor Day has evaporated, and our fine weather will continue during the long holiday weekend and beyond. Many kids go back to the classroom next week, and as often happens, temperatures are expected to rise.
Forecast charts Wednesday afternoon show that the high temperature might go back into the 80s again for next week.
The dry spell continues after more than a month without rain. The last measurable rainfall of 0.05 of an inch was on July 20. Forest fire danger will remain high, so factor that into your outdoor plans this weekend.
July’s total rainfall was less than a quarter of an inch, so it is good that we had nearly 3 1/2 inches of rain in June to help our annual rainfall totals. I’m thinking about the monthly rainfall report from our friends and neighbors around the area; the next one will be short for this month.
Because there isn’t much to talk about in the weather department; let’s see what I was writing about a few years back as we also headed into the long Labor Day weekend. In 2000, I penned this paragraph: “Looking ahead towards the last big holiday weekend of the summer, things look a little cloudy. In fact, weather forecast charts are calling for a good shot of rain and even snow at the higher Cascade ranges. Snow could fall between 5,000 to 7,000 feet.” At least we don’t have to endure that chilly forecast this year!
Another season is about to wrap up and go in the record books for us weather and climate folks. We consider Sept. 1 to be the beginning of fall, while the rest of you wait for the official start of fall with the autumnal equinox that rolls in at 7:49 a.m. Sept. 22. And, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, that will be the earliest arrival of autumn since 1896.
Enjoy the pleasant end of summer weather. I will see you Sunday!
Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at Weather Systems.
