Winter/Spring Mix in Pac NW
March 15, 10:30 PM
Crazy Mix of Weather
Today we have had hard rain, windy squalls, thunder, sunshine (briefly), and basically a lot of rain. Yesterday was quite similar, except a lot cooler. For most of yesterday we were riding in the mid to upper 30's and a lot of rain, with snow mixed in, and windy and just cold and raw. Today warmed up, so no snow, but a lot of rain with downpours at times, and the wind giving some crazy action to the rain. Today's high was 55 (big upturn from yesterday's 44), the high wind gust was 26 mph, and the rain today is up over .7", and still coming in bands, although they are slowing down from earlier today. Winter has arrived late this year!
March 13, 10 PM
Swirling Snow!
A real mixed bag of weather today! Including our weekly little bout of snow, both this morning and then an exciting snow squall that came through this afternoon - leaving only about a trace of snow. But, when it was falling, the wind was whipping it every direction, lashing the windows, and swirling into little mini-drifts on the deck.
It was breezy all day and cold, especially because of the wind. Our high was only 45, the low has been 33, the high wind was 25 mph, and we have .26" precip.
This evening we went to a high school band concert, and coming out afterward into the night air was bracing - for the middle of March. 34 degrees tonight, giving some promise of another round of snow perhaps tomorrow morning.
March 12, 6:45 AM
Storm!
A strong front is rolling through us this early morning. It is windy, hearing the easterly gusts gather steam off in the distance and then race through the trees and over the top of us. And, in just the last few minutes the rain has arrived with much more authority and it is beginning now to lash against the windows.
The snow level is a bit too high for us, so just rain this morning, but it is really turning into a stormy morning!
The quite deep low that I wrote earlier about, is passing by the offshore waters and the front associated with it has quite a lot of punch. The barometer is still falling and is pretty low already.
A very wintry storm today! Even though my kids did start quite a lot of seeds yesterday indoors - mostly peppers. It doesn't seem much like garden or pepper time right now.
March 6, 5:30 PM
Snow, Sunshine
What a two-sided day! Spring must surely be coming, when the weather does such sudden turns in just a few hours.
This morning we awoke (actually first spotted it in the wee hours of the morning) to find a light skiff of snow covering the ground! It was right about freezing and with off and on showers, we ended up with about a half inch of snow. Not much, but enough to make a very pretty scene. A few additional showers in the early daylight hours really made a pretty scene out the window. Looked as if it could be January 6.
Then, the afternoon came. All of the clouds cleared away, the snow was all gone, and bright sunshine was so delightful to bask in, even if still a bit chilly. Looked as if it could be April 6. The high ended up at 48, after a low of 32.
Now as I type, the late afternoon fading sunlight is glowing off the freshly powdered Cascades in the east, and they are beautiful right now. Fresh snow all the way down the mountain sides gleaming in the clean air.
It will be cold tonight with all of this clearing - forecast down into the 20's. More sunshine and warmer tomorrow, with Thursday promising to likely spread a good case of spring fever around town. Only to return to rain by Friday and the weekend. I have a strong feeling that this morning's snow may be the last of the season, but that is far from certain.
Here is a photo I took this morning while the snow was falling and it seems to aptly demonstrate the "Winter/Spring Mix in Pac NW".
March 5, 8:30 AM
A wintery stormy morning here currently. A strong cold front has reached us and kind of a crazy weather day could be ahead.
As late as yesterday afternoon, the NWS was calling for a reasonable chance of a rather widespread few inches of snow by today. Unusual, but not unheard of in early March. As I commented last night, I remember 9 inches here in the first week of March quite a few years ago. Then last evening the forcast took a big turn. Gone was the widespread snow by this morning and onward and suddenly we were left with a "chance" of snow late today in localized pockets, with no accumulation. Just rain instead for nearly everyone. Now this morning the idea of snow is back again, but probably a more middle ground between those two previous ideas. Later this afternoon some convergence zone activity may spin up some snow showers in larger, but still more localized areas (we could possibly be in one of the favored areas) with the chance for an inch or two of snow. Thunderstorms are also possible.
But, as a "for-sure" right now, it is raining and gusty. Gusts over 20 mph and steady rain under a very dark and gloomy sky. It is 43, but colder air should filter in behind the rain.
Just minutes ago I dropped my high school senior daughter off to begin a four day trip as a camp counselor for an elementary school outdoor education program this week. Not a great "camp" week ahead (they will stay in lodges, but most of the daytime is scheduled to be outside) and today looks to be fairly miserable for them all. Cold nights and mornings ahead for the next day or two, however possibly the end of the trip may improve considerably for weather. Could see "spring" a little bit by the end of the week. Surely a great mix this week between winter and spring.
March 1, 10:40 AM
Spring begins this month! But the weather doesn't always follow the calendar. Certainly not around here. But, I do think Spring is trying to gain a little bit of footing. It is just slipping a lot on the mossy rocks.
Another round of rain/snow mix this morning and cool - mid 30's all morning. I do believe the snow is finished for this time around. Nothing is falling as I write and the overcast is starting to develop some brighter spots, indicating some clearing; trying to clear anyway. However, in spite of this, a transition is subtly and quietly underway. As I have written before, bulbs are showing up and just yesterday I noticed that the first daffodils I have seen are blooming right next door! At the same time snow was making some effort to fall and stick, although none has stuck since this past Saturday morning.
Well, since the middle of the last paragraph, the sun has actually come out! Sun is glistening off the jewel-like raindrops clinging to all the bare branches outside. I think it will be hard to keep the sun long - a pretty all-emcompassing overcast will be tough to eliminate. But, trying counts for something, on the first day of March. Overall it looks like it will be another rather raw day, cool, some breeze, and damp. A recipe to feel cold when outside very long.
A trip to a local park yesterday morning, in spite of the weather, gave some photo results that I will post a few of - this time around featuring the few birds that we saw. The park was very quiet, and it is a big one. My son and I saw two other people total in our hour or so there. The animals (primarily marsh birds and some small wetlands mammals that are around) seemed to have stayed in their homes yesterday morning as well as the people. A few ducks were aimlessly moving around, and then a few Red-Winged Blackbirds were still singing from the tops of the dormant marsh grasses. It was a cold, breezy at times, and wet (rain/snow mix) morning. The only hints of spring at the park were some small shoots of new growth starting on some bushes, but not readily apparent to the hurried eye.
Red-Winged Blackbirds in marshes beside Lake Washington on Feb. 29. "Singing in the Rain."
And, another robin perching. They have left our yard but we saw a nice flock of them looking for worms at the park.
February in Review
Average High: 51
Average Low: 37
Highest Temperature: 63 (2/6)
Coldest Temperature: 25 (2/27)
Coldest High Temperature: 43 (2/18, 2/29)
Highest Wind Gust: 30 mph (2/22)
Wettest Day: Feb. 25 (.76" rain plus a little snow melt)
Number of Days with Measurable Precipitation: 19
Number of Days 60+ degrees: 6 (in 2011 we did not even reach 60 at all until March 23!)
Total Snow: 1 inch, plus flurries multiple days
Total Precipitation for February: 4.01" (compared to 3.52" February 2011)
Note: February was a month distinctly in two halves. The first half was much milder than the second half, which seems a bit unexpected, since the first half is closer to "winter".
For example, the average high temperature for the first 15 days of the month was 54 degrees. The average high temperature for the second 14 days of the month was 47. Quite a difference. Additionally, the first 15 days of the month only produced one-quarter the total rainfall for the month.
March 1
Sunrise: 6:48 AM --- Sunset: 5:54 PM (PST)
(we will gain 3 min, 26 seconds tomorrow)
Reader Comments
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Yes, you should come to the Great Northwest - a lovely country even in the winter (but most would probably say "wait till summer"), and you would find an escape from your winter. But, then, of course you would probably hit the few days that we have snow and the whole region comes to a standstill! Giving you plenty of ammunition for more than a few chuckles!
Surely it won't last long...
Did you get your roof cleared off? I sure hope that is the last time for this winter. But summer is still quite far off, too - and a lot of melting lies ahead -sometime - the messy part of too much snow.
Spring is trying in baby steps to inch closer to us. Yesterday afternoon looked somewhat classic spring here, for a short while. During the afternoon we had a spell of snow showers, but mostly mixed with rain, then the sun came out at the same time with clear skies west of us, causing a delightful rainbow (or was it a snowbow? Kind of hard to tell)and for just a few moments it seemed like spring was nearby. Now this morning is right about freezing and this new little dusting of snow. While I have a pot full of the little daffodils beginning to bloom on our deck! Really a mix of seasons right now, still leaning mostly toward winter, as I think it is just about to begin snowing lightly again.
Thank you for your kind words too!
As I said earlier, we don't do spring up here and this year especially this will be true, so I live vicariously through others and long for their good fortune. Of all the seasons I miss spring most. You were far enough north to get the snow, in oregon it was just rain, or so I was told by less than sympathetic brothers. The boys staggered out into the snow around the house to get "official" measurements of the snow pak and determined that we have 64" with much greater depths where it has drifted. The one who plays soccer is really bummed by this:). Go figure: spring is soccer season only in alaska!! every year they have to use a front loader in late April to push all the snow to the sides of the field so they can play. This year they will have two-story berms! Enjoy your coming SPRING days.
The bigger story is the weekend and next week. Looks like another shot of snow could fall by Sunday/Monday. I am a little surprised - was somewhat confident the snow we had earlier this week would end the season. But, possibly more on the way. Not likely too impressive, but I guess we never really know. Then, the even bigger story is the development of a possibly strong, damaging windstorm for Monday, with a deep bombing low moving toward Washington off the Pacific by then. The track is uncertain at this time, and that makes a huge difference. At the least, a very active week ahead for weather - one system after the other on the way. Spring needs to retreat to her winter nest until all this incoming weather passes. Stay tuned for developments!
We did have some snow this week - in the air! We have had a few snow showers or snow/rain mix this week and I see another chance later this weekend. But some areas did get several inches this week - just depends on location. Nonetheless, it has been a crazy weather week - we are seeing just about everything and in pretty head-turning fashion. It has been quite dark and rainy all week, and quite hard rain at times, with waffling between cold rain/snow to warmer rain, along with quite breezy/gusty winds, and even a clap of thunder today. It is kind of a spring-type pattern, but doesn't look or feel much like spring. Seems more like the winter we didn't really get back in December! The end of May should be lovely in Portland - Rose City and the first roses perhaps coming into bloom! Ahh making me think warmer, sunnier thoughts too!
Thanks for coming by Toddluck! It sounds like you probably got more snow than we did this week. It didn't really stick here but came down hard in some showers earlier this week - looked so nice swirling forcibly around in the air. But places did get several inches of accumulation. And, the mountains are sure getting dumped on! I hear there are records being set at Mt. Baker for March snowfall. It would be fun to run up and see it all - and avoid the avalanches that are likely imminent!
You definitely have been experiencing the weather we normally get this time of year. This winter appears to be a "once in a lifetime" one. We have had a week of highs in the upper 70's and lower 80's - today is a "cool" 70. Keep in mind our average highs are in the mid 40's this time of year. We have never in recorded weather history had a day of 83 in March and this year we had several.
I met my daughter and son in law in Florida for a long weekend and when I returned it was the same temperature here in Michigan as it had been in Orlando. We had a great time together going to the Disney parks. She is still a newlywed and they are very happy - fun to see young love! Like your daughter, they registered at Macy's. She comes home and "visits" some of the beautiful things they received. One day they will have a stable life and a house to put them all in, I hope!!
The Thistle Sock works!
A little spring color -
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