Weather Eye: It’s lazy summer for weathermen

Now I know why weathermen take vacations this time of the year — with little change in our weather for a few days and no storms on the horizon, there’s not much to talk about.

The forecast is an easy one, sunshine and warm temperatures and then a bit of cooling with those morning clouds midweek. No rain on the horizon for the next couple of weeks — maybe the rest of the month. But living here in the great Northwest, we always know that may be subject to change.

So, nothing to talk about, eh? I can always find something weather-related to talk about. How about reviewing rainfall amounts from June as promised from your friends and neighbors?

I had 2.10 inches here in Salmon Creek; Claudia Chiasson, Carson, 1.74 inches; Tyler Mode, Battle Ground, 2.54 inches; Judy Darke, Felida, 1.65 inches; Bob Starr, Cougar, 3.39 inches; Robin Ruzek, Lakeshore, 1.88 inches; Pete Conrad near Tukes Mountain, 2.52 inches; Merle Moore, two miles west of Yacolt 3.47 inches; Bill Sobolewski, Livingston Mountain, 3.17 inches; Tom Dixon, Amboy, 3.11 inches; Nancy Ellifrit, Mount Vista, 2.71 inches; and Ellen Smart, Ridgefield, 1.75 inches.

Rainfall was just about average for the month of June. July is our driest month, with just under an inch of rain likely here in Vancouver. So unless we get a surprise thunderstorm or some marine drizzle here and there, the rainfall reports next month probably won’t be much.

The Fourth of July turned out as good as can be expected with mostly sunny skies after the morning clouds, and warm temperatures. It was a little cool and breezy at fireworks time but not too bad. Typical jacket or sweatshirt event.

In my column of July 7, 2011, I wrote: “The snowmelt is still finding its way down regional rivers. Early this week, Timberline Lodge on Oregon’s Mount Hood still had 100 inches of snow on the ground.” Not so this year, but there’s still some white showing on both Hood and St. Helens.

Enjoy the pleasant week ahead!

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