Going Dry

 

Soon, oh so soon, those political commercials and direct mail flyers will come to an end.   So, too, will the current wet cycle.  Let’s take a peek ahead.

 

Colder air continues to slowly work into the PNW.  Heavy showers today will begin to diminish - from north to south - over the next 36 hours.  Clearing & subfreezing overnight lows (20s) are on tap for much of this week.  Gusty E-to-NE winds will howl out of the Fraser Gap and Columbia Gorge, at times, the next few days, sending that cold air into western valleys.  Snow over the coast range and Cascades will also wind down soon.  Several areas in the Willamette Valley last evening (Sunday) had moderate snow showers, enough to whiten lawns, cars & roofs.  Early, indeed.

 

Frosty mornings and drier conditions will predominate the weather after Wed.  The chance for showers and/or snow showers late week has faded off the charts.  Therefore, we forecast dry and slowly moderating afternoon temperatures through the coming weekend.  The east wind should weaken by Sunday, so morning fog possible in the usual places.  For California Patrons: expect colder, wet weather moving in from the north.  Frosts possible in the Sacramento Valley later this week, if the infamous valley fog doesn’t form.

 

The week of Nov 14-18 looks DRY, with on/off east winds out of the Fraser & Columbia Gaps (definitely not as strong as this week).  Again, the cold air mass will moderate a bit, although models do show a continual ‘influence’ of colder air from interior Canada holding eastern basin temps rather chilly.  Normal.

 

Currently, a classic, stormy period may return again during the weekend before Thanksgiving, yielding to a mix of rain & dry days during the holiday week of Nov 21-25.  Probably rather stormy on Thanksgiving Day.  You know this will change some; nevertheless, we’ll throw out a forecast to get the ball rolling.