Weather Eye: Inches of rain replace possibility of snow, ice

Now that we don’t need to fret about a possible winter storm, we can return to counting the number of inches of rain that we usually expect this time of the year. I mention inches because the flow of air off of the Pacific Ocean will usher in a rainstorm nearly every day through the weekend.

We’re expecting a lot of rain in the lowlands and a lot of snow in the higher elevations of the Cascade Mountains. It might rain at times at the ski areas, or at least at the ones at the lowest elevations. Initially, cold wind from the east will keep the snow falling through the mountain passes.

Later today, our mini-dry spell should come to an end, with freezing precipitation falling in some areas. Whatever occurs should be brief, except in places such as the Columbia River Gorge, where it is likely to continue for a while.

It is an amazing flip-flop in weather computer forecast models from just a few days ago, when they all were advertising a big winter storm for Clark County. And when they all come fairly close to an agreement, forecasters must at least mention the possibility of a winter storm in the extended outlook.

Programmers might want to fine-tune the computer models to see what factors might have come up with the winter storm warning in error. Regardless, most people likely will be content that bad weather will not interrupt the normal course of business — including keeping schools open — this week. Sorry, kids!

I should have known about the forecasting error. Nature seemed to be unworried about the whole thing. My neighborhood has seen dozens of robins, seemingly without a care in the world, going about their business of yanking earthworms from the soggy ground. Many readers have also e-mailed me with the same observations. Well, like I always say, prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

Enjoy the transition back to wet and wetter, which some say is better than snow and ice.

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