Weather Eye: Warm jackets in order, then a brief break

The second day of March brought lots of clouds, light rain and once again cool temperatures. As of 5 p.m. Monday, Vancouver only reached 49 degrees, which was 1 degree better than Sunday.

Today and Wednesday expect some scattered showers and cool temperatures, although I expect we’ll inch up a bit closer to the average high of 54 degrees. Thursday is still looking like the best day of weather this week, with partly sunny skies amid high clouds and a high near 60 degrees.

Then more cool and wet weather Friday and Saturday with snow levels dipping down to the foothills, mainly about 1,000 to 1,500 feet. Sunday may be dry, and Monday is shaping up as a nice day. Of course, that far out, it is always subject to change.

Looking back to last month: Vancouver ended up with 1.60 inches of rain, 2.43 inches below average. The average mean temperature was 43 degrees, a half-degree below average. The warmest day was 61 degrees on Feb. 27, and the coolest, 26 degrees on Feb. 21.

At least March certainly did not roll in like a loud lion — more like a slow-moving and cold lamb hiding in the shadows. It looked gloomy at times around Clark County, but a few rare sun breaks were noted as well later in the day. Still, temperatures were below normal.

Eight years ago, on March 1, many county residents woke up to snow. Dan Hein of Camas had 3 inches, and Phil Delany above Dole Valley had 10 inches of snow on the ground. Murphy Dennis near Clark County Rifles had 11.5 inches. So, it could have been worse. We also had a little snow in 2011 on the first of March.

As we spring forward Sunday and with sunny skies possible Monday, it will add to the spring fever that I’m sure is budding inside most of us. Oh, what a feeling. Meanwhile, warm jackets are in order until a brief break on Thursday.