Weather Eye: Change on the way as clouds, rain to arrive Friday

This week’s weather would have been quite enjoyable without the smoke and haze. We had a pair of 70-degree highs Monday and Tuesday and 75 degrees Wednesday. But the sky was too obscured to get the full benefit of the weakening October sun rays.

The 80s are in the rear-view mirror, and I believe the 70s are on the way out after today.

The big change we have been waiting for is almost upon us. Clouds and rain will arrive Friday, and I’m expecting about 1 inch of rain through the weekend here in the city. Two inches or more could fall over the foothills and mountains — enough to extinguish a good portion of the local wildfires.

We will have breezy conditions, and with moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds, the leaves will be falling. It will be a little wet to blow them away, so a rake is in order. If your grass needs cutting, do it today. You may have a brief window Friday morning, but the rain should arrive around noon or so. We’ll see.

Several weather fronts will affect us, some originating in the cold Gulf of Alaska. Snow levels will drop over the weekend, with snow falling to pass levels. Factor that in if traveling over any Cascade passes.

So far this month, we have had no measurable rain. With 11 days left, we have a long way to go to make it an average month. However, the next five days will be a good start.

Our average temperature is still running over 8 degrees above normal, despite overnight lows in the 40s the past week.

Our last 80-degree day of 2022 was Oct. 16, with 86 degrees. Remember that statistic; we will have a quiz next April.

A reminder: The 30th Annual Winter Weather Forecast Conference will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland. Free to the public. I’ll be there listening to experts giving their winter prognostications.

Take care, and we’ll chat on a damp Sunday together.