Rod's Weather Headlines

Despite the complaints, Portland's June is on it's way to being the first below normal precipitation month since January.  In fact, this June as of today has received only 48% of normal rainfall.  To date, PDX has picked up .63", normal rainfall to date would be 1.31"  Six days have had measurable r...

Summer officially begins with the summer solstice on Tuesday, June 21 at 10:16 a.m. PDT.  The earth is tilted so that the north pole is at its closest point with the sun. (Yet, the earth will be at its farthest distance from the sun, called aphelion, on July 5)  As a result there will be more minute...

Summer begins with the solstice Tuesday morning at 10:16 a.m. our time.  This will be the day with the sun high in the northern sky and is known as the longest day of the year.  The weather should cooperate with sunshine and Portland metro highs in the 80s!  I still believe a very nice summer is in...

La Nina has ended and we may see a rapid turn around in our weather.  Forecast charts through June 20th, show all but a few dry days.  High temperatures currently show most days in the 70s with a few warmer streaks in the 80s.   The last time we saw a warmer and drier than average month was January...

Both the Columbia & Willamette rivers continue to be near 17 feet.  Forecasters believe the Columbia will remain below 18' into next week and hold nearly steady.  The Vancouver flood stage is 16 feet.   Flood stage at downtown Portland is 18 feet.  The Willamette is also expected to hold steady int...

If you have not heard, Alaska has been having a heatwave.  The past few days have seen temperatures in the 80s!  Here is a comparison of high temperatures this month for Portland and Fairbanks: Average High:                Portland   63 degrees  /  Fairbanks  62 Warmest Temperature:  Portland   74...

Update:  Flood Watch Issued for Columbia River.  The river is expected to rise slightly above the 16 feet flood stage Tuesday afternoon at Vancouver.  River levels may continue to slowly rise this week and then slowly recede next week.  Near and just above the 16' flood stage:  Minor floo...

At least one computer model estimates a 3 - 5 feet rise in the world oceans by the year 2100. The ice of Greenland and the rest of the Arctic is melting faster than expected.  In fact, long range climate models which often over project, cannot keep up with just how quickly the ice is disappearing....

Still reason to hope for a nice summer!  (fingers crossed) The latest update on La Nina, indicates a warming of Pacific waters, meaning La Nina is weakening!  In fact, a return to Neutral conditions is expected by June 1st.  If true, I would expect our weather to transition to a drier and warmer pa...

Adding to the weather record of this cool and wet spring: 1.  Only 6 days reach 60 degrees through April 30th.  This is the fewest on record at PDX.  The old record was 9 days back in 1955. 2.  Total rainfall for March & April combined:  11.47" /  The old record was 10.87" in 1997 3.  April rainf...