Weather Eye: Rainy weather may give way to a rare dry February weekend

It certainly felt like a winter day Wednesday, with early morning lows in the 30s and afternoon temperatures riding into the mid-40s. Cold air aloft moved in after Tuesday’s rainstorm and brought snow levels down to the local foothills. Phil Delany at 1,000 feet above Dole Valley reported a half inch of snow early Wednesday and Murphy Dennis near Clark County Rifles had about a quarter of an inch. I noticed a few wet snowflakes mixed in the rain early Wednesday here in Salmon Creek.

Meanwhile, the Cascades have had several feet of snow. Another 8-14 inches is expected today.

A thunderstorm skirted Clark County shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday and hit mainly from northeast Portland and the Gresham area to the southeast, with lightning, thunder and pea-size hail.

With the intense rain storms of late, I have recorded 6.17 inches at my weather station in Salmon Creek area this month. We haven’t had such a wet February in nearly 15 years. Seems like feast or famine lately, doesn’t it?

More rain today and slow clearing Friday through Saturday Low clouds could hang on and, if skies clear, that means fog overnight. At least at this writing, the weekend appears to be dry. Rejoice!

Since the weekend will be nice and dry, it’s a good time to hit the Spring Home & Garden Show at the Expo Center in Portland. Spring is just around the corner, so start planning. I may see you there, as I will be with the Northwest Independent Writers Association signing books. Chat with you on Sunday!

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