Weather Eye: Pleasant summer weather to heat up next week

Pleasant summer weather continues, and the forecast is looking straightforward at this time with highs at 80 degrees or better today and then beginning Sunday and into next week we jump back into the 90s and tally a few more days with those temperatures. That will help us surpass our annual 14 days or so of 90-degree high temperatures.

Average summer weather so far? Pretty much so I believe. We really need a good shot of rain, but we may have to wait until next month when the odds increase a little. That weak weather system Wednesday brought some cloudiness but no measurable rain here in Vancouver, only a few sprinkles mainly in the far north county and up in Cowlitz County.

With the rise expected in the high temperatures into the hot category, our overnight lows will be on the warm side, remaining in the 60s and close to 70 degrees in the city center. Warm August nights in the limelight.

The sunny and hot weather coming up reminds me of some words that went through my mind a few years ago. “Sun blazing high in the sky, sweat dripping, oh my, oh my! Ice cream melting, poolside fun, summer heat, we’re on the run!” Reminds me of my childhood days. How about you?

Wednesday with temperatures in the low 80s marked our 15th day with highs in the 80s but no 90-degree highs in that period. Two of the days we had 89-degree high temperatures but will wait for the next batch of 90 degrees arriving soon.

It seems unfashionable to chat about winter weather in the middle of August, but those almanacs are hitting the news and checkout stands. I haven’t purchased one yet but I did quickly glance at the Farmer’s Almanac yesterday and the headline for the Pacific Northwest and it mentioned we would have an “unusually snowy” winter and also on the wet side.

That is interesting compared to other more scientific predictions I’ve read mainly due to an El Nino event taking place. In that scenario we usually get a mild and drier-than-average winter with less chance of snow, especially here in the lowlands. I’ll save the winter stuff for another month.

Let’s get back to summer fun. Take good care and we’ll chat this weekend.