Weather Eye: Fickle April’s showers give us a break — finally

Since we lack rain this weekend, let’s review the numbers from last month from your friends and neighbors around the region for April.

Gary Collins, Brush Prairie, 4.38 inches; Murphy Dennis, near Clark County Rifles, 6.20 inches; Claudia Chiasson, Carson, 7.01 inches; Tyler Mode, Minnehaha, 3.15 inches; Judy Darke, Felida, 3.39 inches; Larry Lebsack, Northeast Hazel Dell, 4.20 inches.

Irv St. Germain, Southwest Prune Hill, 3.66 inches; Pete Conrad, Battle Ground, 3.46 inches; Bob Starr, Cougar, 10.68 inches; Robin Ruzek, Lakeshore, 3.42 inches.

Dan Hein, Camas, 3.69 inches; Phil Delany, above Dole Valley, 9.60 inches; Chuck Houghten, Hockinson Heights, 5.80 inches; Phil Harris, Washougal, 3.72 inches; Jim Knoll, Orchards, 3.80 inches; Bill Sobolewski, Livingston Mountain, 5.78 inches.

Nancy Ellifrit, Mt. Vista, 4.62 inches; Tom Dixon, Amboy, 6.15 inches; Ken McGowen, near the fairgrounds, 4.15 inches; Merle Moore, west of Yacolt, 8.08 inches; and Ellen Smart, Ridgefield, 4.70 inches.

April was certainly a fickle month, defying weather forecasters on a daily basis. And we had it all: rain, snow, sleet and hail. Not to mention several bursts of wind and a stray thunderstorm here and there. There were only about five days without rain.

It was finally payback time for all that cold and wet weather we’ve had of late as skies really cleared out Saturday around the great Northwest. Friday saw clearing skies, but there were still lots of cumulus clouds over the mountains, some of which did drift over the western valleys. Some folks saw lightning as well.

Today was forecast to be mostly sunny and mild for Mother’s Day before more clouds and showers roll in by Monday. Consider this weekend a real bonus! And, by the way, happy Mother’s Day to all the fine ladies out there.

Pat Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://weathersystems.com.