Sunday night’s storm didn’t bring a whole lot of rain, but some very strong wind gusts and decent ice-pellet showers followed the front. I observed my first good hail shower of the year.
The wind had a bite to it, and with showers, hail, gusty winds and even a few sunbreaks, it could have been the first week of March.
More showers are likely off and on this week but our next storm, tonight, will be weaker than the previous two. Some models hint of high pressure over the weekend. Wouldn’t that be nice?
We are still way behind — by over 2.5 inches — in the rainfall department. I doubt we will catch up so a drier-than-average and slightly cool February will most likely go into the books.
Here are some old sayings about February: “February is the shortest and can be the worst of all the months.” “If in February there is no rain, ’tis good for neither hay nor grain.” An early American proverb: “If February gives much snow, a fine summer it doth foreshow.” The French say February rain is as good as manure. The Sioux Indian tribe says, “In February, if thou hearest thunder, Thou will see a summer wonder.” I would be curious about that wonder.
This time last year, I was enjoying 80-degree sunshine in Hawaii. How could I forget I intended to make that an annual affair?
On Feb. 26, 1991, I recorded a high of 73 degrees, the warmest ever for February. We had one 60-degree day recently but I’ve already forgotten about that one.
Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at Weather Systems.
