Weather Eye: After a nice break, we’ll flirt with 90 degrees again this week

We’ve had a nice break from the summer routine, with Friday reaching 79 degrees and Saturday afternoon in the low to mid-70s. Today should have some marine clouds and highs under 80.

But never fear if you like the hot stuff: Monday will be close to 90 degrees, Tuesday in the mid-90s and Wednesday close to 90 degrees. After that, we’ll see more ocean air infiltration and more seasonal highs. No signs of rain worth mentioning. So far in August, we are still running about 4 degrees above average.

Someone asked me if any 90-degree highs the last three days of August would be our last 90-degree weather. It certainly could; however, as we enter September, our chances for easterly winds increase, and with a warm air mass overhead and east winds, we could certainly soar to 90 degrees.

So how many 90-degree days have we had this summer? I have counted 22 days for Vancouver, including two days over 100 degrees. So we are well above our average of 15 days each summer. If we tally three more this week, we would be at 25 — still behind the record number of 90-degree days.

In autumn, we can still get thunderstorms, especially along the coast. “If you can see it (lightning), flee it (take shelter). If you can hear it (thunder), clear it (suspend activities).” That is the motto of the National Lightning Safety Institute.

A 14-year-old boy was struck by lightning Aug. 30, 1999, while riding his bicycle in Wood Village, just east of Portland. About 20 percent of lightning-strike victims die, and many survivors suffer serious long-term aftereffects.

According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, a metal vehicle or substantial building is a safe place to wait out lightning.