Weather Eye: Vancouver has already topped its average August rainfall

That low-pressure system that was off the Oregon Coast took its time to move moisture up to Clark County, but some light showers developed late Thursday. Initially, they were over the Cascades, but they finally drifted westward into the county.

Rainfall amounts really varied. As of early afternoon, downtown Vancouver had received nearly a third of an inch of rain, while areas in the north county saw less than a tenth of an inch. Vancouver was in the bullseye. I’m not aware of any lightning or thunder locally, though the Cascades received plenty. Fortunately, it was accompanied by moderate to heavy rain.

We managed to post a high temperature Thursday of only 70 degrees, the lowest this month. As of early afternoon Friday, it was only 63 degrees in Vancouver; if we remain in the 60s for a high Friday, it would have been June 27 when we last had a high in the 60s. Shows you how chilly the air mass was. The upper regions of Mount Hood even had a little snow — the first of the season above timberline.

Vancouver has already surpassed its average August rainfall of .51 of an inch, with .64 of an inch as of 1 p.m. Friday. More rain was likely Friday, and today had scattered showers in the forecast. The upper-level low will move away from us Sunday, and we’ll get back to normal summer weather.

Later next week, a warm ridge of high pressure will build inland, and we could have highs approaching 90 degrees by Thursday. We’ll see how the warmer weather develops. At least no rain is in the cards next week, and the nice summer weather should linger into the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Many students return to school later next week, and it could be a warm day in the classroom.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has issued its winter prediction. For Southwest Washington, the winter overall is forecast to be cold and wet, with plenty of mountain snow and even some snowy periods here in lower elevations. Of course, La Nina is forecast to be with us, so a good chance of a wetter and cooler winter season makes sense.