For those desperately waiting for Clark County to emerge from the dreary clutches of the Pacific Northwest’s winter gloom, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, March’s trend of unusually cool weather isn’t expected to come to a screeching halt in April. Last month, the Portland metro area saw an average temperature — meaning a combination of both highs and lows — of 45.2 degrees. That comes in 3.1 degrees below the region’s typical March average.
Jon Bonk, a meteorologist at the Portland office, attributed the lingering shivers to a lack of prolonged high-pressure systems over the Pacific Northwest in recent months — the opposite of what those on the country’s Eastern Seaboard have seen this winter.
Though the weather may have dampened the mood for Clark County children on spring break this week, it hasn’t been severe enough to cancel most outdoor recreation programs, such as those provided by the city of Vancouver.
This week’s intermittent rain and cloudy skies should continue into the weekend, contrary to earlier forecasts that hinted at warmer temperatures Saturday and Sunday.
“For folks looking for warm, dry weather, perhaps we can give them some of the dry on Saturday but not warm, per se,” Bonk said.
Two separate incoming weather systems are expected to provide spats of rain through tonight and then Sunday afternoon through most of Monday. High temperatures for the rest of the week are expected to be in the mid-50s, with lows in the 40s.
Looking forward
For the rest of the month, meteorologists expect Portland and Vancouver to see a continuation of cooler-than-normal temperatures, with a bit more precipitation than usual.
The continuation of rain and high-elevation snowstorms has benefitted the previously drought-ridden Western U.S., Bonk said, but it’ll take longer for the region to be fully replenished.
“My understanding is that, yes, the surface water is available, but it’s going to take time for all that surface water to replenish underground aquifers,” he said.
Both Washington and Oregon are still being identified as “abnormally dry,” including northern Clark County.
The good news for now? There are no serious indicators that May and June will continue the same trend of cool, cloudy weather.
More good news? Cherry blossoms are in full swing, with displays of pink brightening up Clark College’s campus, Fisher’s Landing and the Portland Waterfront, rain or shine.
The Portland Japanese Garden — another popular viewing spot for the seasonal flowers — is also seeing its cherry blossoms begin to bloom. People can learn more and keep an eye on the garden’s flowering trees at https://japanesegarden.org/cherry-blossoms-2023.
