The clouds passing through Saturday produced a warm overnight low between 65 and 70 degrees around the county. Vancouver recorded 69 degrees. Daylight hours had more clouds and high humidity but no 100-plus degree temperature.
The air aloft was certainly warm enough. This time, it was the humidity that raised the heat index. I had several reports of a few sprinkles, too. This will continue today to some extent with possible thunderstorms around.
Forecast charts show cooler temperatures, into the 80s, through Tuesday and then getting into the hot category midweek and beyond. It’s looking like a hot Fourth of July.
The highs as of 5 p.m. Saturday were 91 in Vancouver and, amazingly, 92 in Seattle, which had more sunshine and fewer clouds. Other hot temperatures in the region: Yakima and Ellensburg, 108; Pasco and Hermiston, 111; Walla Walla and Pendleton, 109.
This will go into the books as the warmest June on record here and around the state. I can’t recall having this many days in the 90s. The average mean temperature for Vancouver is approaching 69 degrees, 6 degrees above average.
The last measurable rainfall was June 3, with a total of only 0.39 inch for the month. Things are really drying out. It looks more like late July or August outside than June.
Another thing missing this month: cloud cover. We normally get about 15-17 cloudy (80 percent of the sky covered) days, those days with persistent low clouds off the ocean.
Bottom line: It stays cooler but still 10 degrees above average the next few days, then another hot spell into the Fourth. We should be rid of the muggy conditions after today.
Still no rain in sight.
Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://patricktimm.com.
