The rest of July and the first half of August are normally the driest and warmest period of the year for us, and most other Western locations. However, when I see snow falling at the higher elevations here and slopes turning white at the higher ski resorts in Montana, I wonder.
Looking at the local rainfall amounts around the metro area from the last weather system that delightfully overstayed its welcome, Vancouver had the least rain of all. Only about a quarter-inch of rain fell in the bucket at Pearson Field. Other observers noted one-half to 1 inch. Even the normally driest of all, Portland International Airport, had more rain than downtown Vancouver. Go figure.
The rest of this week looks like varying amounts of clouds; maybe a sprinkle today then dry and more sunny skies with highs getting back to near normal Wednesday and Thursday through Friday. Forecast charts show yet another upper-level low pressure system sliding south from the Gulf of Alaska and setting up shop here. Our afternoon highs are running some 10 degrees below average.
The cold unsettled air aloft caused the National Weather Service to issue a funnel cloud advisory Sunday. Even odder for July. There were three: one near Kalama, which was observed from Interstate 5; one in North Plains, Ore.; and another near Canby, Ore.
