How did you like those brisk easterly winds yesterday? Nice and dry, eh? But for some, maybe a bit more than brisk. Winds in parts of the eastern county near Camas and Washougal were strong enough to blow trees down and knock power out. About 2 p.m., I measured a peak wind of 40 mph at my Salmon Creek home, which is quite impressive for me. I hardly ever get the strong winds. Winds clocked at over 60 mph brought a little wind chill in the western Gorge.
Afternoon highs were 60 degrees or better in many areas, a nice relief from the 30s and 40s of the past few days. Looking ahead into the upcoming week, it appears our high temperatures will be much higher than last week’s. In fact, if one were to believe what one computer model was hinting, we could be basking in 70- or 80-degree weather later in the week. But although that prediction is an outlier at this point, things should at least be closer to a normal 60 degrees.
As far as precipitation goes, it isn’t an easy forecast (never is, it seems). We are back to a more El Niño pattern, with storms heading into California. And with those pesky low pressures, bands of moisture rotate northward, making the extent of coverage and timing most difficult. So we most likely had a band move through last night and another one maybe today. The National Weather Service foresees a chance of showers from now through the end of the week.
I heard the skiing is just fantastic on Mt. Hood with all the fresh powder — too bad it came so late in the season. Enjoy your week, and maybe we might get some shirtsleeve weather?
Pat Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at weathersystems.com.
