The calendar shows summer begins this Thursday, but the weather today through Wednesday will have sizzling summerlike temperatures. Highs today will be in the upper 80s. Monday through Wednesday will reach the 90s, and then back to the 80s Thursday through the weekend. If we get enough marine air to push in by the weekend, we could see some highs in the 70s.
It’s a good thing school is finally out for most tomorrow. It would be miserable sitting in classrooms without air conditioning. I mentioned here Thursday to watch those clouds over the Cascades as they might drift into Clark County, and scattered thundershowers were a possibility.
That is exactly what happened Saturday afternoon with thunderstorms reported out near Yacolt, Battle Ground, Camas and Washougal. I had reports of thunder and areas with brief, heavy rain. For the next week, those storms should stay to the east and south of us and not venture into the valleys.
Fire danger rises rapidly this week and any offshore flow of east to northeast winds will make things tinder-dry quickly. Keep an eye on any campfires and barbecues you may have. Looks like it is going to be a bad year for wildfires. Already we are in the dry category west of the Cascades, and some areas on the east side are in the drought category. And it is still just mid-June.
