As I write my column at about 4 p.m. Saturday, I look out my west-facing window, and a heavy shower is pounding rain, ice pellets and, alas, wet snowflakes against my pane.
The temperature had dropped from a balmy 48 degrees earlier to the upper 30s. And let’s not forget the west wind, which is gusting to over 30 mph and is doing its best to rattle my window and my nerves.
I’d like to say: Enough already. At least we have managed to have the sticking snow level rise a bit, keeping the lowlands only cool and wet. Our foothill friends in the county are still having bouts of snow, mainly during the cooler nighttime hours. This pattern will continue through Wednesday and begin abating on Thursday.
With the luck of the Irish, we may transition out of this cold and snowy regime back to more “normal” spring weather.
Did you know our average high temperature should be 54 degrees? We may not reach 54 degrees this week, but we’ll have a good opportunity later on to at least surpass the 50-degree mark. That would be progress.
My prognosis is based on some of the extended reliable computer models and the fact that sooner or later things must change, right? Now the disclaimer: There are some models that are hesitant about quickly warming us up and are keeping us below seasonal normals. If we do warm up, there is a good chance we’ll see more steady rain and even development of a Pineapple Express somewhere in the Northwest.
I surely can do with warmer weather, although some dry timeouts would be great as well. I know, I know — we need more precipitation. February was lackluster in that department, and the first four days of March have produced about a third of an inch as of 5 p.m. Saturday. Sounds good, but still below the average.
We can expect a chance of showers each day through Thursday as a stationary low remains parked off our coast. Snow levels generally will be above 1,000 feet but, during nighttime hours, could drop lower, and of course, wet flakes or hail may be seen against your window pane in a heavier shower.
Keep planning your garden. Eventually, you’ll get outside.
