Weather Eye: Rain will soon give way to sneak peek at spring

Wednesday certainly didn’t show any signs of an early spring, which was predicted by the groundhog a day earlier. It was damp and cold. The rain varied from raining kittens and puppies to cats and dogs at times, depending on your location.

More rain falls today through Saturday morning before an anticipated period of dry and mild weather begins in earnest on Sunday. Meanwhile, the mountains were getting more snow; freezing levels, however, will be inching up as today goes on.

During our upcoming sneak peek at spring next week, some low-lying areas away from the Columbia River may have morning fog and temperatures may not rise beyond the 60-degree mark. Areas exposed to the east winds may be a few degrees cooler as well. With those exceptions, many folks will enjoy highs in the 60- to 65-degree range by midweek.

The high surf advisory is back with us this week and the next incoming storm on Friday may produce some high winds along the coast. Good weather for storm watching Friday and early Saturday.

The ocean beaches have taken a terrible beating so far this winter. Beaches that once looked familiar to beach-goers have a new look. But that is the norm along the coast as it sustains an ever-changing coastline. Along the Long Beach Peninsula, the high surf, extreme high tides and high winds have pushed the surf into the beach grass and dunes, pulling lots of precious sand outward.

One of my favorite pastimes is walking along the beach after a good storm to look for flotsam and jetsam. You never know what you may come across.

Rainfall reports from around the area for January are landing in my inbox and I will share those with you in the near future. Not as heavy as December but still well above average it seems. Keep warm and dry and we will chat on a sunny Sunday!

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

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