We finally did it! Well, we didn’t, but the clear, blue skies and abundant sunshine — of the dry type, not liquid — pushed the thermometer over the 80-degree mark (82 officially in Vancouver).
When was the last time we had an 80-degree high temperature? So long I can hardly remember. How about an 83-degree high on September 27 of last year? I’ll let you count the days.
Of course, Portland International Airport broke its record of the latest date in the calendar year for the first 80-degree temperature. What a record to establish.
The warm spell will be a very short one, as marine air filters inland today and lingers for several days. Weak weather systems pass over us to drop most of their light moisture in B.C. and east of the Cascades.
We will see plenty of clouds and only partial clearing Monday through Wednesday with cooler high temperatures. The latter half of the week will be more June-like with warmer temperatures. Hopefully.
I spent Saturday at the beach where it was just as nice and one could see for miles and miles out to sea — something I haven’t been able to do for a long time. Being so pale from the lack of sun exposure, I think I may have overdone it. At least I will go back to work Monday with proof that the sun did shine! Ah, vitamin D, I like it.
Now, no sooner do I describe the awesome clear skies as I write this column here at the beach, I see over the sand dunes that low clouds are streaming inland off the ocean. Yeah, a weak marine push is already on the central Washington coast as a weakening cold front heads our way.
Well, Saturday we had a taste of summer — which actually doesn’t begin in earnest in western Washington until July 10 or so. Consider it an appetizer; the main course will follow before too long.
Enjoy your week.
Pat Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://weathersystems.com.
