Showers, rain, thunderstorms, clouds and what else? It all adds up to a simple “cool and wet.” Although around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the sun peeked through the clouds, allowing the mercury to rise near 60 degrees.
But it was a struggle, for sure, as colder air filtered into the Northwest. This will cause more instability in the atmosphere and we should have some real good “boomers” around the area today with lightning, thunder and even some hail. Just doesn’t seem to end, does it? The good news is that the current weather system will slowly migrate eastward on Friday, with clearing skies and rising temperatures. A good start to the long holiday weekend.
Don’t let the above comments fool you, though, as more clouds and rain will return by the start of next week. Bummer! Do you remember the heavy bands of rain and thunder that rolled northward through Clark County between 2:30 and 5 p.m. Tuesday? As the activity moved farther north, a severe thunderstorm developed near Napavine on Interstate 5, with half an inch of hail, heavy rain and even rotation in the under-hanging clouds. Wouldn’t be surprised to hear of a funnel cloud or worse today.
Some random thoughts: Next week, the month of June stares us in the face. It also signals the beginning of hurricane season. Not good news for the massive oil streaming into the Gulf of Mexico. It also brings visions of fresh local strawberries, the end of the school year and the Portland Rose Festival. For us weather folks, it also brings another familiar event to mind: Yeah, the typical Rose Festival Low.
