Looking at satellite photos Wednesday afternoon, I saw an impressive-looking weather system lurking off the Washington and Oregon coast. Impressive for mid-August, that is. Light rain was falling along the coast at 5 p.m., but there were just clouds inland. Most of the moisture was expected to dissipate as it moved across the Coast Range, but some scattered showers or heavy drizzle was possible in the western valleys.
I mentioned we could get a good downpour in Tuesday’s column, so I am still hoping we get a little rain, at least. Rain might settle the dust for a day or two, and it would make the roadways extremely slippery.
Cooler weather has helped the firefighters in Southern Oregon so much that many of the firefighters have moved operations to Alaska. Yes, Alaska. Crews there are still battling wildfires, which is a little unusual this late in the summer.
In our area, we have enjoyed a very nice summer without the extensive heat waves that sometimes occur. In August 2012, we had six days of 95 degrees or more. This summer, we’ve had only one: In June 30, it got up to 96 degrees. Every month so far this year — except January — the average mean temperature has been above average.
