Our flirtation with snow here in the lowlands is over for now so everyone can rest easy for the next several days. The thoughts are nice for a white Christmas this year, but that is all there are. Thoughts. Some extended forecast models insist on colder weather Christmas weekend and that is half of the two key ingredients we need for snow. Next would be the precipitation.
Wednesday’s affair with winter didn’t materialize for several reasons. One, the precipitation wasn’t all that heavy, only light rain. Even though easterly winds picked up, there wasn’t any cold air to speak of in the Gorge. Drier air yes, but not enough. Then a southerly wind flow aloft kept those snowflakes from staying frozen all the way to sea level.
Yes, there were some wet snow showers here and there in the higher locations but nothing to write home about. With the overcast Wednesday, temperatures hovered between 36 and 40 degrees here in Vancouver. Cold enough for me and a good warm jacket. Expect some scattered showers around today.
Friday, we have a break in the weather action before a couple of weather systems arrive for the weekend. These will bring warmer air aloft with snow levels jumping for a short time to 6,000 feet or so before dropping back down to pass levels or lower late Sunday.