Weather Eye: Week will bring September at its best, unless you’re a student

Monday was beautiful, with afternoon highs right around 80 degrees. Could you ask for anything better? As school starts, teachers and students will endure sunny skies out the window and highs in the mid- to upper 80s.

That kind of weather should hold all week before a slight change over the weekend. Long range charts hint the best chance of measurable rain since July could happen late Sunday or early Monday. But that is a ways out.

I wouldn’t mind seeing just enough rain to freshen things up — a quarter-inch would be nice. However, when it does rain, remember the streets will be mighty slippery after weeks of dry weather.

I have had a few reports of the woolly bear caterpillar along the Salmon Creek Trail and Lower River Road. In a few weeks I will venture out for a hike and see what these critters are telling us about the upcoming winter. Not totally scientific, but fun.

The moon in its waning stage was gorgeous the past couple of evenings. It was a brilliant yellow and looked so close. I just love September weather. Warm during the day, maybe even enough to wet your forehead, but comfortable at night. Almost too cool to head out in morning without a wrap, but clear skies always promise a quick warm up. You can feel autumn in the air.

The Cascade peaks are sure getting bare, with more rocky surfaces than snowy ones. I can envision Mount Hood to our east yawning and stretching, ready to get dressed. White looks nice, don’t you think?

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