Weather Eye: After return to 80s, we’ll keep cooling down this week

It was a warm one Monday with afternoon highs in the mid-to-upper 80s around Clark County. No records were set, however, in Vancouver; the record high remains 92 degrees, set way back in 1949.

We will see temperatures lower today with a weak front moving through. I doubt we’ll get any measurable rain– maybe a few places on the coastal strip. Skies will clear late this evening as weak high pressure builds inland for Wednesday and Thursday.

Those two days will be pleasant with highs close to seasonal normals, which are around 70 degrees plus or minus for a high and 49 degrees for the average low. We talked about much colder air dropping down on us, and that is still on the charts for Friday and beyond.

Snow levels will drop to 5,000 feet or so later Friday through the weekend; fresh snow will whiten the Cascades. It will be chilly here in the lowlands with periods of rain or showers. Highs will be well below normal, struggling to reach 60 degrees.

I am taking a mini vacation this week, enjoying the outdoors and nature on Whidbey Island. Driving north Monday and reaching the vicinity of Olympia, one could really see the brilliant fall foliage, more so than in Clark County. Of course, it is farther north and a little cooler.

There is also a chance in Puget Sound to see the Aurora Borealis tonight and Wednesday night as solar activity increases. Up here, it is beautiful and winds are calm. Late-summer blooms are dangling in the sunlight. Bunnies and squirrels are busy scampering here and there stashing their winter tidbits. Yes, nature is alive and well preparing for the winter season, which will be upon us soon.

I suppose I should be doing the same, but alas, I feel like the old grasshopper fiddling away in the sunshine. Getting my autumn humor watching a chipmunk with his cheeks puffed out like marshmallows as he found an oasis atop a large bag of black sunflower seeds in front of the local hardware store.

Oh my, fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee, the weather is whatever it wants to be.

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

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