Weather Eye: Enjoy Wednesday break, prepare for more cold snaps

Clark County went through round three — or was it four? — Monday morning. I’m losing track, as this has been a different month than we have had in several years. One cold snap after another. And we aren’t done with cold either. More in a few lines.

Snow amounts varied from last Wednesday’s storm. It appears Felida and Salmon Creek won, with 3 inches. Little of the snow actually melted; what did was from evaporation into the cold, dry air.

The quick in-and-out snow Monday left from a trace along the river to an inch Salmon Creek north and 2.5 inches in La Center. It was sure festive having the snow -flocked trees around the countryside.

South and west winds pushed cold air back to the east with Vancouver rising to a balmy 47 degrees Monday afternoon. Did that feel nice? That is what we would normally expect for a high at this time of the month. Actually, that’s a tad higher than normal which is 46 degrees. We haven’t see a high temperature that warm since Dec. 12.

Precipitation for the month is now over 3 inches, still a little below average as of Monday afternoon. Heavy rain was expected Monday night into Tuesday morning. Perhaps an inch or two around the county. Higher freezing levels will come along with that, so much of the snow in the foothills will melt.

We have a nice break Wednesday before another storm with heavy mountain snow and lowland rain sets the bull’s-eye over us. Cold air follows Thursday’s weather system and snow levels plummet again.

Here is the rest of the story: As we approach Christmas weekend, colder air drifts in from the north and east with snow in our foothills again and perhaps a mix here in the lowlands. I wouldn’t rule out a risk of a little snow by Christmas, but when it gets cold enough to snow, things dry out. Christmas Day may be sunny and cold with highs staying in the 30s. Yep, another cold snap. Expect lows in the 20s.

I’ll update you Thursday, I’m sure something will change.

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

Related Stories