Weather Eye: Stay tuned to local forecasts; more snow could be on the way

After a brief respite over the weekend, winter is set to take another blow over the area. East winds begin later today and usher in cold air from an arctic air mass sliding into the midsection of the country.

The air from the east will flow over snow-laden ground in Eastern Washington and remain on the chilly side. This pool of cold air settles in Clark County on Wednesday. Then all eyes will turn to the weather system slated to traverse Oregon on Wednesday night and Thursday.

Another snow day for the kids Thursday? I’m thinking yes. I have to chuckle, because I said the same thing in last Tuesday’s column. Our winter is getting off to a joyous start — if you like this type of weather.

Hopefully, things line up just right and Clark County stays in the snow belt, with freezing rain held at bay. It will for sure be a mixed bag for some in the greater metro area. And, as I always say, it is going to be a late-night call. Okay, maybe an early Thursday morning call.

If the low stays just south of Portland, we keep in the cold air and could end up with 6 inches of snow. Picture that on an old cover of the Saturday Evening Post. So stay tuned to the latest forecasts Wednesday and early Thursday as the details come together.

Meanwhile, December has been on the chilly side, with an average mean temperature of 38.7 degrees here in Vancouver, about three degrees below normal. Rainfall (and melted snow/ice) was at 3.07 inches as of 3 p.m. Monday. That is above average by about four-tenths of an inch.

We have had such a run of warmer-than-average months this year that December will not be forgotten. Extended outlooks keep us below average with the temperatures all the way into Christmas. Our odds for a white Christmas maybe went up a notch or two from the lowly averages.

So keep warm and listen to the local weather forecast, rather than using the smartphone apps. Perhaps we will chat again on a snowy Thursday?

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

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