Weather Eye: Weather to oscillate between dry and wet days

It was a relief to see the sunshine on Wednesday, a welcome change from the gray skies and constant patter of the April showers. A bigger bonus if the afternoon temperatures were closer to a comfortable 70 degrees but remember that the average high is a chilly 60 degrees. I know, I know, I’m trying to rush spring, even though winter’s chill still lingers in the air.

Today’s forecast predicts showers due to a passing cold weather system. It is anticipated that there will be some sunny intervals on Friday, followed by widespread showers on Saturday. With luck Sunday and Monday will be at least partly sunny and warmer. As far as I can look into the future the weather will oscillate between dry days and wet days. No big, unusual heat waves are expected any time soon.

You must love the humor in the way our crazy weather throws curveballs, one minute sunshine, the next a downpour. Exciting, unpredictable, uneventful, intriguing and light-hearted at times. April reins.

Looking back at our winter weather, we escaped for the most part serious flooding, crippling snowfall, widespread damaging winds and icy streets. A mild winter with a weak La Nina. At least our local mountains received a good snowfall for the season.

Even though freezing temperatures aren’t in the immediate forecast, frost is still possible in the outlying areas of the county into early May. Downtown Vancouver can usually rest easily after mid-April. Don’t be too anxious to put out tender flowers in containers unless you want to carry them back inside or do a quick cover up at night.

There is still snow on Silver Star to the east which of course forebodes possible frost and snow could fall as low as 2,500 feet the next couple of days. Ski resorts will be closing soon but snow showers continue to add to the many feet of snow on Mount Hood.

I’ll leave you with this. “A gush of bird song, a pitter patter of dew. A cloud and a rainbow’s warning. Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue — an April day in the morning. ~ Harriet Prescott Spofford.