Before we talk weather, let’s review some rainfall from your friends and neighbors for February. Claudia Chiasson, Carson, 7.60 inches; Rob Starr, Cougar, 13.92 inches; Robin Ruzek, Lake Shore, 1.91 inches; Tyler Mode, Battle Ground, 4.56 inches; Judy Darke, Felida, 2.84 inches; Ellen Smart, Ridgefield, 2.65 inches; Bob Mode, Minnehaha, 1.23 inches; Jim Knoll, Five Corners, 2.91 inches; Chuck Houghten, Hockinson Heights, 6.81 inches; Murphy Dennis, Rawson Road near Clark Rifles, 7.71 inches; Irv St. Germain, Prune Hill, 3.31 inches; Dave Campbell, 1 mile west of Heisson, 7.25 inches; Larry Lebsack, Barberton, 2.97 inches; and Bill Sobolewski, Livingston Mountain, 6.99 inches. Our friend Roland Dersken in Vancouver, B.C., had 4.88 inches, just about average. In comparison, the official rainfall for our Vancouver was 1.60 inches, 2.43 inches below average.
The above amounts were way below the heavy record amounts we saw in January. Most observers reported a third to a half as much as in January. Some, less than that. So far this month, Vancouver has seen only 1.26 inches, close to an inch below average. We may not add to that total until late Sunday or Monday.
The fair weather and mostly sunny skies will linger for a few more days, through most of the weekend. We will see high temperatures above 60 degrees today through Sunday. In fact, on Friday it will feel like the first full day of spring with afternoon temperatures in the mid-60s. Getting close to that elusive 70-degree day.
A cold trough of low pressure settles in Monday through Wednesday next week with cold showers and snow levels between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. We bounce back to a taste of winter. Rainfall amounts don’t look impressive at this point, but stay tuned. We will sharpen the weather eye in Sunday’s column.
In these times of strife, enjoy the simple things. Sit on the porch and watch spring unfold under blue sunny skies. Soak in the new season that arrives later today. Take good care, and we will chat on Sunday.
