Weather Eye: Slow cooling trend begins as east winds die down

Our unusual weather pattern began unraveling Monday afternoon as a modified arctic front slipped down east of the Cascades allowing the pressure pattern to shift to offshore. East and northeast winds became gusty and as I mentioned here last week, lots of smoke.

Temperatures actually cooled Monday as the cold and dry air mass moved out of Canada. This is our typical winter pattern. If it was December, we would be dropping into the 30s rather than remaining on the hot side.

While we reached 92 degrees Monday, today we hover in the 80s as a result of the “cooler” air mass. As east winds die down tonight, hot high pressure settles in and we shoot back into the low to mid-90s Wednesday and Thursday. Beyond that, a slow cooling trend dropping into the 80s through the weekend. Still no rain.

Winds were blowing in Eastern Washington on Monday between 40 and 50 mph, which caused unimaginable dust storms that closed most highways and roadways, even Interstate 90. Multiple vehicle accidents occurred as visibility dropped to zero. Adding to the dust storms was smoke from several wildfires.

We saw that to our east Monday afternoon as smoke made its way over the Cascades and down through the Gorge. At 5 p.m. Vancouver’s visibility went from 10 miles to three miles with smoke, haze and east winds gusting over 30 mph. A quick change. The sky was a dirty brown color. I don’t believe in all my years observing weather here — and it goes back a ways — that I have seen such a strong pressure pattern in early September. They were saying Monday it was “historic,” maybe once or twice in a hundred years event.

I am getting multiple reports from readers of the elusive woolly bears. Thank you for the neat pictures sent along with your emails. I’ll give a summary of findings so far in the next few days, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, be safe and avoid breathing in smoke and dust outside. The winds will begin to ease off tonight and should be in the breezy category Wednesday with no high wind warning.