As I wrote this column late Friday afternoon, the clouds to the west had thickened and rain was beginning to fall from the dark clouds overhead. And, as you read this today it will still be raining at some intensity before turning to showers late today and continuing into Sunday.
Rainfall amounts were expected to be between 1 and 2 inches around the county by the end of the weekend with more in the foothills. Snow levels were expected to be near the timberline in the Cascades but falling rapidly later today. Snow will be falling through Sunday near the mountain passes.
With unsettled weather continuing Monday and Tuesday the higher ski resorts could pick up between 2 and 3 feet of new snow. I noticed Friday before the clouds lowered that Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood were solid white down to lower elevations. That will ensure snowcap peaks for some time to come.
The warm and dry spell that we were straining our eyes beyond the horizon for late next week looked like it would be a little delayed but forecast models had a big consensus and now as of Friday afternoon all agree we will have summerlike weather after the showers clear out next week.
