Weather Eye: Hot weather set to make return after bit of rain

Skies cleared Monday after the light rainfall over the weekend and we are now well into an extended dry and warm spell. Highs Monday rose about 10 degrees from Sunday, and today we will rise about 10 degrees from Monday and then see another 10- degree rise on Wednesday. Temperatures will peak on Thursday.

Sunday’s highs were in the mid 60s and Mondays highs were in the mid 70s. Today, we jump to mid-80s and then mid-90s Wednesday and Thursday. If we get enough of an offshore flow of air via easterly winds, we could reach 100 degrees. The hot weather conditions will increase the danger of wildfires this week.

The recent rainfall will soon be a distant memory. At least we had a little respite from the warm conditions the past couple of months. If you take a drive out in the countryside, one can see some trees showing autumn colors already due to the dry conditions and stress from excessive dryness and heat.

Thanks to the hot weather over the region, Hermiston, Ore., melons are out and, boy, are they yummy. How about local sweet corn from Sauvie Island? They’re all a little early thanks to the weather this summer.

Okay, now I have made myself hungry chatting about the bounty of fruits and vegetables thanks to our excellent growing season. There is always an upside of the weather in one shape or form.

The Emerald City in Puget Sound has set many records this summer and they anticipate more with the current warm spell upon us. Monday was Seattle’s 45th consecutive day of 70 degrees or higher, good enough for third place in their records. Their all-time record is 61 days in 2003.

Roland Derksen, weather observer in Vancouver, B.C., measured more than an inch of rain over the weekend while our Vancouver had just .23 of an inch. Normally I would say they can keep it, but now I’m a little jealous. A wild summer of weather, to say the least.

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