Weather Eye: March weather keeps us sharp

What an abrupt change of weather from Sunday to Monday. High temperatures here in Vancouver fell some 10 degrees and we had our first rain since the deluge of March 14. Eight days of dryness.

We also had some heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms as well. A huge hailstorm hit Salmon Creek between 3:30 and 4 p.m. with pea-size hail reported and many neighborhoods turned white with the intense hail shower. That later moved to Battle Ground, where hail and thunder were also reported.

Not only was it chilly here at ground level, cold air aloft dropped snow levels below 2,000 feet and we will see snow showers today in our higher foothills to the east. Scattered showers, maybe a thunderstorm and hail could happen once again today. Although we should see some sunny periods between the dark clouds. Maybe a rainbow.

But isn’t that what March is all about? Showers, thunder and hail and rainbows? At least it gives us all some relief from isolated boredom watching the weather outside. And to be safe, remember when thunder roars, stay indoors.

Showers decrease on Wednesday and we may have a somewhat nice day Thursday, but still on the cool side before more rain and snow move in for Friday through the weekend. That sums up the weather forecast for now.

I so enjoyed the beautiful weather last week I forgot to pitch my springtime saying. “Spring has sprung, the grass is ris’, I wonder where the birdies is?”

So, there you have it. On a positive note, have you noticed how much daylight we are getting now?

Three years ago today, a severe thunderstorm crossed the Columbia through downtown Vancouver and moved up through Minnehaha and Walnut Grove and then onward to Five Corners and the Orchards and Covington area. A small tornado touched down in several places, ripping down fences, gardens sheds and small limbs and trees. The National Weather Service rated it an EF0 with winds 65 to 85 mph.

Keep things on a sunny side up theme and we’ll chat on Thursday.