Weather Eye: Cool, rainy weather will close book on long, hot summer

I remember only days ago it seemed it was easy reaching 90 degrees and then we had to work a bit to put 80 degrees in the record books. Wednesday we managed 71 degrees, way below average. This weekend we will face highs only in the 60s, so it will feel rather chilly after our long hot summer.

The good news besides the much-needed rainfall is that forecast models are slowing the cold front down a little so the moderate to heavy rain may arrive Friday in the late evening hours.

Do we manage to wring out a dry daytime Friday? Don’t count on it, light showers could precede the front. We hope it waits until nightfall. I know of one reader who has a big garage sale planned Friday and she tells me she has faith the rain will hold off during the day.

After the steady rain and gusty winds Friday night we have scattered showers Saturday and Sunday. Some could be frog stranglers, and also have hail and thunder thrown in for good fashion.

By Monday we should have 1 or 2 inches in the rain gauge in Vancouver and our friends in our foothills upwards of 4 inches. Think Cougar. The cold air aloft Saturday and Sunday will tease Timberline Lodge with snowflakes.

When skies hopefully clear enough Monday afternoon, we should see a fresh new white mantle of snow on the upper peaks of Mount Hood and St. Helens.

If you travel to the Washington Coast for clam digging expect heavy rain and blustery winds. The coast and Cascades can expect to get 2-4 inches of rain.