Friday, May 31, 2013

How about a nice round of seventies?

After a wet and wild second half of May would you like some warm sun?  My rain totals will likely exceed January and February combined when I tally them this weekend.  So the big guy upstairs has decided to reward our perseverance with some sunshine and seventies for the first part of the weekend.  The National Weather Service says we may have some showers early in the week but glorious 80s will arrive toward the end of next week.

80s, Woo Hoo!

get out this afternoon and tomorrow and soak it up then get ready for late next week for dads and grads 'cuz we get another preview of summer to enjoy until the real thing arrives on the Fourth of July :)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Weather is Appropriate

Another Memorial Day in the Northwest and it is quite wet.  We have all come to expect damp and cool conditions on what most of America considers the gateway to summer.  Here in the 'Couv' we often have a very wet spring. That means we have to wait for our gateway weekend late in June or as some people define it, "Independence Day"  When our nation celebrates its independence, we in the Northwest, celebrate both the holiday and our independence from RAIN.

So drip, drip goes the rain and so goes Memorial Day. A few times it was quite robust, the pounding of precious water against our homes in America's Vancouver.  Don't let the forecast and the skies dominate your day.  There is much to do albeit inside or under the cover of your patio, if you are so equipped.

Memorial Day is more than just another Monday off.  Today our great nation honors those men and women who have fallen in their efforts to uphold our country's freedom and prosperity.  There are families who grieve the loss of a son or daughter, a mother or father. For those among us, the rain is solemn and reflective.  Our showers bring about a mood of sorrow, but it is an action that gives us life in the form of water.  Those great Americans from long ago to recent times gave all they could give to protect the rights and freedoms of all of us.

So fret not the pitter-patter of God's life giving bounty of precipitation.  Take a moment of consideration for the gratuity of our American life and take recompense in a holiday that honors those who have fought to keep it so.  Let those drops flow down like an ataractic stream that soothes your soul.  Today is a day of thanksgiving and remembrance.  Today we honor those whose lives were given so that we might live in freedom. Perhaps each raindrop from the heavens is tear from God for us to acknowledge the sanctity of life.  Today is solemn and in many ways it is a day that probably ought to be showery. And so it is.




Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NWS nails snow forecast!


Monday the NWS issued a forecast for snow at around 3000 feet and they nailed it.  75 degrees on Monday afternoon here in the 'Couv' followed by chilly low 50s yesterday.

Here are some live road cam images showing US 26 at Government Camp, OR near Mount Hood about 45 miles SE of The 'Couv' and the infamous Snoqualamie Pass on I-90 East of Seattle.  Snoqualamie is at 3000 feet and Government Camp is at 3900.  White and fluffy wintery weather.  Isn't the Northwest spring like a Labrador Retriever in a yard full of squirrels?  You never know where it's going next and it happens real fast ;)

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Wet, dripping wet...

An epic downpour of rain, thunder and hail is happening right now.  That cool system moving in will create havoc for us over the next 36 hours and watch out for snow on the passes.  NWS says 3000 feet for fluffy white stuff.  The temperature dropped six degrees in sixty seconds. Here is a video I took towards the end of the main deluge.

Spring weather in the Northwest can turn on the proverbial dime, and it has done just that today.  Kudos to the hardworking folks over at the Portland, OR and Seattle, WA offices of the National Weather Services for nailing this forecast.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Late SUN-day was fabulous

I awoke Sunday morning to a bit of clouds and light showers.  It seemed like this week long showery cycle was going to continue for yet another day.  I managed to get a few indoor things done which was good.  Then around four o'clock I noticed this ominous glow emanating into the room.  The sun had finally managed to win out over the cool clouds of spring.  It began to warm up and I decided to mow both lawns while I had the chance.

Our local prognosticators at the National Weather Service have us down for more showers through the week and cooler conditions, so I really hope you soaked up some of that sunnylicious weather we had yesterday.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Cool Showers and Mild Sunshine

The headline says it all about the month of May in the Northwest.  Unsettled conditions will remain in place over Western Washington for the foreseeable future.  It looks like Monday could be a nice respite from the cool showery weather of late.  Go out and soak it up on Monday then prepare to get soaked off and on during the week.



Monday, May 13, 2013

Back to Sunshine after this...

I found this internet meme on Facebook recently and it fits the bill quite right.  After an amazing two week run of gorgeous sunshine and warm temps we get a little squall and the wheels come off the public's cart.  Worry not my weather friends, the great yellow orb shall return and with an abundance of warmth and brilliance all just for us :)  Just a few more days or maybe a week worst case a couple of months and it's back to Doctor 80s and that's not a D.J. wearing parachute pants I'm talking about ;)

Here is the National weather Service forecast for the week...


Don't like that one, OK try this one from Accuweather, it's a little more optmistic...


Go out and soak it up :)



Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mother's Day Weekend

Another spectacular day followed by a spectacular night here in The "Couv".  The high was 82.5 this evening at 6pm and the warmth has lasted all the way into the evening.  It is still nearly 70 as I write this at 11pm.  I love the balmy evenings after a nice warm day here in America's Vancouver.  Mother's Day is looking a little cloudy and maybe even a little damp but the afternoon temps should still reach the seventies so spend some quality time with mom and enjoy the day.  I spent this evening with my wife out on out patio tonight under gorgeous skies and warm air.  We enjoyed a nice bottle on vino by the sunset and into the evening stars.  Life is good in The 'Couv".

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Western Washington the Nation's Hotspot... Huh?

I saw this meme on Facebook the other day
On Monday, May 6th Seattle broke an old record for daily high temperature and the record fell hard. The old mark of 79 was replaced by the scorching new measure of 87 degrees.

Here in the 'Couv' the mercury got stuck down at a mere 82.5 degrees at my house and touch more at the official station near the airport.  It is not often in the spring and summer that Seattle is warmer than us but it was on Monday.

I love the meme at left.  You don't see that everyday.  Texas cooler than Seattle?  Isn't that one of the seven signs of the apocalypse?

Joking aside our weather has been stunning here in the Great Northwest for better than full week now and things seem to be continuing for now.  In fact nice warm eighties all around for the rest of the week and into Saturday before some cooler but still warm, showery weather takes over on Sunday.  Enjoy this my friends, soak it up :)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Flirtatious is the Springtime



(Originally posted on one of my other blogs, "The 'Couv' Life" 4/27/2013, Rod Sager)



Springtime loves to tempt us with her glimpses of summer and tantalizing teases of bright sunshine. Lured we are from the warmth of our sweaters and jeans into shorts and sandals. A collective sigh of relief that the darkness has passed is released by us all. Thousands of smiles radiating across the city offer hope for better weather ahead.

Fickle is the spring in the Great Northwest. The delightful flutter of fresh breezes abruptly turns to a frigid wind with flurries of dainty white crystals falling from the sky. Quickly the denizens flee back to the wool and down feathers that brought them comfort a few months before. The winter is not severe, but it is ever so long. ”When will it end?” We query the spring.

Flowers begin to appear all around us. First the plums, then the cherries and soon all the rest will bloom with a glorious announcement that the winter is behind us.

A glance out the window in the wee days of April, yields visions of snowflakes; ”Wait a minute, are those cherry blossoms blowing in the breeze?” Later and later we wander towards summer. Now there are stretches of many days with the flaming orb fusing hydrogen into helium while warming us well into the 70s.

Flirtatious is the springtime, for May and June will deliver changeable weather ahead. A touch of blue sky then squalls of rain. Back and forth the battle will rage until Miss Spring hears her signal to retreat. The Star Spangled booms of Independence Day herald our warm, dry and wonderful summer.

So for now and until the call of July, we shall endure her banter and seductive peek a boo sun. Perhaps we shall flirt back at Miss Spring with our windows open and car tops down. ”A dare” She shouts back. Miss Spring doubles down with thunder and hail. So goes the days of our spring, a time to rejoice in the bounty and power of God and Nature.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

We hit a toasty 84.5 degrees today and kept the mercury up above the eighty mark for seven hours this afternoon.  That is just so July, isn't it?  Tonight is one of those summery evenings as well should be in the seventies till midnight.  Enjoy my friends, enjoy.

Friday, May 3, 2013

The mercury managed to nudge its way up to just shy of eighty degrees today topping out at 77.3.  Those warm rays had no interference from any sky bound obstructions of water vapor.  Nothing but crystal clear blue skies and a nice soft and gentle breeze to moderate things ever so nicely.  What an absolutely gorgeous day here in the 'Couv'.

If you liked today and like it even just a tad warmer then the National Weather Service is your new best friend.  Take a long gander at this forecast :)


With the exception of the slightly chilly nights that looks allot like a summer forecast.  Get out and enjoy this fabulous weekend that is on tap for us :)

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

There is a frost advisory in effect for the Clark County, Washington area for the morning hours.  Stop fiddling with your calander.  Yes, it is May 1st.  Yes you will have to scrape frost off your windshield this morning.  Perhaps you already did and you are just reading this while drinking your piping hot coffee to warm up in the office.  I know, it's May, it's unfair that others around the country are basking in the warm glow of 75 and upwards of 80 degrees.  Places like, Chicago, New York, Indianapolis will get the juice while we get FROST!  Don't worry, everything will turn out fabulous because the forecast models are calling for nice toasty warm weather for the end of the week.  Look at the nice NOAA forecast :)


So relax, everything is looking real good.  We get to launch a traditionally warm month with some nipple hardening chills, then bask in the glory of "El Sol" while sipping margaritas on Cinco de Mayo.  Life is good my friends and May has arrived.  Soak it up.