Looking out the window as I write this late Monday afternoon, it is pouring down rain. Nothing new. I heard of some heavy downpours Sunday but got very little here in Salmon Creek until overnight, when my rain gauge indicated more than a half-inch.
The threat of rain will linger a couple more days, then we’ll see some real summer weather, as forecast by most computer models. Highs in the 80s and maybe 90s are on tap between Thursday and next week. Some models indicate highs maybe
As forecast a few days ago, we did get a healthy dose of rain along with those very muggy conditions.
Rainfall for the month so far in Vancouver as of 5 p.m. Monday stood at 1.57 inches, just about average.
We have had some claps of thunder the past several days around the Northwest and since this is Lightning Safety Week, it would be a good idea to refresh the safety rules. The saying goes, “When thunder roars, go indoors!” Good advice, too. Everything you need to know and more is at www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.
Lightning is very dangerous and can travel a distance from the thunderclouds. So far this year, seven U.S. deaths are due to lightning; annually that statistic is 53.
The flooding due to excessive rain in Calgary is almost unreal. The videos of the rain intensity and the stream runoff were amazing. Makes one wonder how it can rain so hard for so long? Meanwhile, back here in the U.S. many wildfires are blazing, and could have used some of that moisture.
Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://weathersystems.com.
