A taste of summer is headed our way
Sunday, May 11, 2008
By PAT TIMM, local weather specialistGray skies continue to dominate the weather scene over this weekend as a strong flow of marine air penetrates inland. There will be a small chance of showers today around the state and here locally. Temperatures will continue to ride below average. We have only had three days with temperatures at or above average this month. We also continue to fall way behind on the rainfall for the month of May and after today the forecast calls for dry weather all this week, clear into the weekend. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, Vancouver has only measured 0.03 inches for the month.
The outlook continues to call for some warm weather — okay, I’ll call it hot weather — heading our way by Thursday and Friday, when afternoon highs will be between 85 and 95 degrees. The latter will depend upon easterly winds developing. This should result in a rapid explosion of those May flower blooms and help complete tree leaf development. Next Saturday’s Hazel Dell Parade of Bands should enjoy another great day with slightly cooler temperatures.
I mention the Hazel Dell parade because in all my years living in Clark County, the weather has an uncanny way of being quite nice on the day it is held. In the past 30 years or so, I think you could count on one hand the number of days with any moisture in the skies — or enough to really dampen spirits. So, if you want to make any long-term outdoor plans in May, just pick the date for this event. You should have a better than average chance of fair weather, at least according to the statistics.
For those of you celebrating Mother’s Day, have a very happy one despite any cloudy skies, and get ready for a taste of summer.
Pat Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach him at weathersystems.com. | 
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