Everyone is wondering whether we will get some snow this winter. As you know the clock is ticking away and the month is moving along. The stubborn ridge of high pressure still dominates despite repeated efforts of computer forecast models indicating a change. The models are flip flopping from one run to another. The plan was a big change beginning this coming weekend and the following week. Maybe so and maybe not so stay tuned.

We certainly need the snow in the mountains but there still is time. We were about in the same shape last year at this time. I wish my crystal ball was a bit sharper but we either go cold and dry or cold and snowy or we remain stuck in the same pattern. Time will tell.   ~Pat

An upper level low off the southern Oregon and northern California
coast spun widespread precipitation through the Willamette
Valley... breaking several calendar rainfall records for July 17.

Location 24 hr pcpn (in) previous record (year)
Portland Airport 0.67 0.64 (1993)
Portland downtown 0.82 0.53 (1974)
Eugene 0.68 0.49 (1996)
Hillsboro 0.53 (tie) 0.53 (1993)
I recorded .86 o an inch here in Salmon Creek.
Maybe more showers to come this week.  ~Pat

I know there were a lot of rumors so I decided to release this photo to prove that those April showers accomplished their mission. And along with all those blooms and associated pollens in the air come the allergies. My car today was covered with yellow pollen. Good thing I am taking my antihistamines!

A sunny warm day on Wednesday followed by fair weather until weeks end. Then a return to yep, more showers, clouds and cooler weather. I think we will just grab and day or two or three of spring in between weather systems. That is the current pattern and I don't see why it will change much the remainder of the month so make the most of it; as us Northwesterner's always do!

Hoping we won't be headlining weather records like last month such as third coolest, wettest or whatever. Think positive.           ~Pat

By the end of Thursday, April 47h, 2011 Mt Hood Meadows had received a total snowfall of 121cm (just over four feet) in 7 days according to SKIINFO.  For more click here.

The rain showers continue as I write this Sunday evening although things will begin to slowly wind down as the storm track moves northward the next several days. This means, less rain and warmer temperatures. Perhaps we will be in the low to mid 60's midweek depending on cloud cover. Don't expect the slow down in the action to last long as more rainy periods will return as we grind into the month of April. With a  little bit of Irish luck, March will retreat like a lamb and hopefully the first day of April will not fool us.

Regardless, lots of records set this month so far with the related cool and wet conditions. We have already had more rain than we did in January or February.

The moss, mold, and mildew is thick this year and may take extra effort on lawns, driveways and rooftops to eradicate it. Of course some good old hot weather and a string of dry days could help the situation. That isn't going to happen any time soon.

Enjoy your week and enjoy the blue skies, sunshine and 60 degree temperatures that may pop up later this week. It will be short-lived.          ~Pat

Signs of spring are everywhere and as the days go by it  only gets better and better. At least the storm track heads south this week except for some wrap around moisture that comes upon us from time to time so a chance of showers is in in the outlook. But overall, much better than the first three weeks of March I think.

We have already had five inches of rain for the month one of the  wettest in recent memory. Did you get a  glimpse of the full moon Saturday night? It was sure bright and I noticed a very eerie thing about 1 am. Looking at the moon overhead were dozens of crows flying in the dark of night and apparently yelling at the top of their lungs. Why at night?  I sure don't know, maybe the extra magnetic energy?

Will be interesting to see if any natural disasters occur thsi week as predicted by some scientists. I think I will wait a few weeks or so before I take a day trip to walk along the ocean beaches.

Snow pack in the Cascades has greatly improved this month and if the prediction from the CPC is of any value, it will continue to pile up through April. ~Pat