Weather Eye: November seems likely to be quiet, weather-wise

In what should be an active weather month, I certainly do not see anything exciting weather-wise heading our way. Many will be happy except those getting anxious about heading to the mountains for some winter fun.

We have some brief rainy periods through Tuesday but amounts on the light side. Then Wednesday through Friday next week the atmosphere settles into a relaxed mode with only clouds, sun, fog and maybe scattered showers. Nothing to write home about, folks.

Most people will move along with their lives with no worries about the weather and the weather geeks will keep watching the daily long-range forecast models for cold, snow or wind. If weather is your hobby, perhaps think of other things to do for a while. I feel we may see a change come December.

I mentioned the other day about the small population of woolly bears but the average of all that I could find and the ones you sent pictures of brings me to at least a conclusion. Far from scientific, of course, but they offer this prognosis: We get off to a colder-than-normal start through December, the first month of winter and then a long stretch of mild weather lasting into nearly spring. The overall average temperatures will be milder than normal. But could this mean we have a few surprises in this El Nino winter? An arctic blast? Alas, only nature knows.

Years ago, my insurance agent in downtown Vancouver, whenever I would stop by his office, he would always greet me with “How’s the weather … man?” I’ll never forget that. He had a smile on his face, and we would talk about the weather for a few minutes before doing business.

There seems like there is always something to discuss about the weather even when we don’t have much of it going on. Meeting many residents of the county over the years and upon seeing me or hearing my name, comments like “Oh, you’re the Clark County weatherman,” or “You’re that guy that writes about the weather in The Columbian.” Chuckling of course, I’ve been called much worse, but mostly sunny comments over the years and it’s always fun.