We Need Some Rain!

Lots of folks have been asking me when we are going to get a good rain around here. Notice the map on the right. This is what is referred to as a qpf(quantative precipitation forecast) that is issued on a daily basis for a period of 5 days. In this case, it takes us through Monday morning. As you can see, some heavy precipitation will continue pounding the west coast through this period, but we will also have at least a shot at some badly needed rainfall.

Our first chance will arrive into the overnight hours of Thursday night and right on into Friday and also Saturday. Some of that west coast energy will come across the Rocky Mountains and zip by to our north. However, we will be close enough for at least a slight chance of a shower or storm during that period. A stronger system looks to be headed our way by Sunday night into the day Monday and this system will be taking a more southerly track. That will give the state our best chance of rain in some time, but that is still quite a ways off and certainly subject to change.

In the meantime, the NW winds and cool, dry air that is settling over us this afternoon could lead to some patchy frost by Thursday morning. Skies will be clear, the winds will be settling down after sunset, and temperatures will quickly fall with the cooler valley locations possibly in the low-mid 30s to start the day Thursday.

Sunny skies to start the day will be followed by increasing cloudiness as the day wears on and the chances of rain as mentioned above. Much of next week now looks to be cooler than normal and cannot rule out a light freeze either Tue or Wed mornings of next week. That would be pretty close to normal by the way, as our normal last Spring freeze usually occurs around Mar 29.

In the meantime, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot