Weather Eye: Warm weekend on the way; keep watering garden

Marine clouds kept our Wednesday afternoon high temperatures in the low 70s in most Clark County locales with drizzle enough to measure as well. Officially, in Vancouver as of 5 p.m., we had a high of 71 degrees and no measurable drizzle.

That high of 71 degrees is the coolest since June 15 when it was also 71 degrees. I do expect the official high for Wednesday to inch up another couple of degrees as it was 71 degrees at 5 p.m. and still sunny. The only other 70 degree high this month was 73 degrees on July 1.

Today we see more morning clouds but earlier clearing, so we jump near 80 degrees and then more warming Friday through the weekend with highs in the 85- to 90-degree range. Warm but not in the official hot category.

Five years ago, at this time in 2016, we were having showery weather and cool temperatures with snow falling a wee bit above Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. It can happen when a large area of low pressure sets up shop along our coast and sends impulses of clouds and showers inland. The cold pool of air associated with it can bring snow down to the timberline regions of the Cascades.

At this time, we have higher pressure anchored off the coast and lower pressure associated with the excessive heat near the Four Corners region of the U.S. Air blows from high pressure to lower pressure, hence the dense marine clouds. Most of our coastline has not seen full sunshine for over a week now.

I think Friday and over the weekend the coast will see the marine clouds begin to break up and at least partly sunny skies. Kind of a typical summer pattern along the coast. There are still no wetting rains in sight and the July dryness continues.

Even if you experienced some drizzle on Wednesday, keep watering because that was not enough to do the job. The freshness of the mist was most enjoyable however. Keep the sunglasses handy and enjoy a warmer weekend.