OK, let’s review March rainfall from around the area while we are still talking about the rain falling in April: Rob Starr, Cougar, 11.86 inches; Jim Knoll, Five Corners, 3.99 inches; Robin Ruzek, Lakeshore, 2.42 inches; Chuck Houghten, Hockinson Heights, 5.29 inches; Tyler Mode, Battle Ground, 4.79 inches; Bob Mode, Minnehaha, 2.97 inches; Irv St. Germain, Prune Hill, 4.89 inches; Dick Lenahan, Meadow Glade, 3.96 inches; Barry Fitzthum, Amboy, 6.34 inches; Larry Lebsack, Barberton area, 4.37 inches; Judy Weber, west of View, 7.22 inches; Ellen Smart, Ridgefield, 3.40 inches; and Dave Campbell, 1 mile west of Heisson, 6.39 inches. Our friend Roland Derksen in Vancouver, B.C., reported 7.90 inches. The official rainfall for Vancouver was 2.76 inches, 1.19 inches below average.
Meanwhile, April continues with its robust weather, with another blustery day on Wednesday. Severe weather was a possibility if strong thunderstorms developed. As I wrote in my column Wednesday, the heavy shower activity was still off the coast. We’ll see more scattered showers today and a risk of a thunderstorm and small hail. You are used to the routine by now. By the weekend, things dry out and warm up a little before the next bout of rain arrives late Sunday. Next week is forecast to continue the unsettled weather.
Rainfall is running over twice the expected amount so far this month. As of early afternoon Wednesday, Vancouver had 4 inches of rain in the gauge so far in April. We are well on the way to surpass the monthly record of 5.03 inches, set in 2003. I mentioned the other day that our driest April was last year, with .33 of an inch. A good downpour from a thunderstorm would easily set a new record for the month.
In addition, it is the coldest April since 2011; no need to tell you that. True, we enjoyed that 74-degree high on April 7, but it has been downhill from that sunny day. We should be well into the 60s this weekend and couldn’t rule out someone reporting a high of 70 on Sunday. Our average high is now 63 degrees, so April needs to shift gears and get with it.
