Weather Eye: Chill is in the air, and soon snow in the Cascades

It appears that migrating geese have landed in Clark County on the way to warmer climates. I have had many reports of sightings and of course the usual honking. I don’t know whether this is early or not, but perhaps they know something we don’t.

The first snow of the season fell Monday in several locations in Alaska. Temperatures in the far north are dropping. One report from Anchorage about the snowflakes in the air early Monday was that it was one month earlier than last year.

Speaking of snow, as the cold trough of low pressure drops in today and Wednesday snow will fall down to the higher passes in the Cascades. Perhaps down to 4,000 feet. That would be the first snow of the season.

A definite chill is in the air. I had to turn the heat on to take it out of the house; time for a fire in the fireplace soon. Autumn is my favorite time of the year with holidays and family gatherings ahead. The brilliant colors, leaves blowing through the air, pumpkins, hot spiced apple cider. Then on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Looking at the weather statistics for Vancouver Monday we are running about an inch above average in the rainfall department and about two degrees warmer for the average mean temperature. We will cool down closer to average the next couple of days and add more rain in the bucket. It’s that time of the year.

Did you enjoy the first blustery storm of the season Sunday? It rolled in almost on cue with peak winds of 35-40 mph at almost the exact time of the autumnal equinox at 1:44 p.m. There was a brief shot of moderate to heavy rain as the front passed through. I even saw a rainbow after the front to the east.

So showers today and Wednesday, snow in the mountains, then clearing and warmer with a three-day dry spell. Enjoy.

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