Weather Eye: Fall weather system will give way to nice weekend

Wednesday was a fair-weather day, at least for most of the day. Increasing clouds were invading the scene in the late afternoon and evening hours as yet another fall weather system was approaching for the overnight and daytime hours today. Rainfall amounts were not forecast to be heavy today, but maybe umbrella worthy.

High pressure builds inland on Friday after some morning fog and then a pleasant weekend with seasonal temperatures. No 80-degree days. October swings a little moisture in the next week, off and on. Rainfall amounts so far this month as of 5 p.m. Wednesday here in Vancouver were 3.78 inches, well above average for a change. Maybe we’ll get a quarter-inch or so by midnight tonight and break the 4-inch mark. That would be a feat.

September bucked the trend of warm and dry weather with several good rainstorms, numerous thunderstorms, hail and even a small EF0 tornado to boot. It is not uncommon to see reports of these weak funnel clouds and brief touchdowns this time of the year. Even along the coastal strip it has become commonplace.

Fortunately, I don’t see any active weather heading our way. The first week in October will be a kind of up and down weather-wise. But then again unexciting weather is good for now as we transition toward the stormy season. Let’s enjoy some pleasant fall weather. The average high and low now is 71 and 49 and in days it will be out of the 70s.

I heard from several folks in northern Washington this week and they told me they are expecting a cold and snowy winter. The wood piles are stacked high, they say. But who knows, between the almanacs, nature’s critters and meteorologists making their winter predictions it seems to become an annual ritual this time of the year.

Many professionals utilize a series of analog years that have been similar to this year to draw a conclusion. I often say you look back to the past to predict the future. Regardless, the weather will do whatever it will do. Forecasting, no matter how far advanced it has become, still isn’t an exact science.

Take good care.