I’ve had enough of our cold spring. Seriously. I’m just done.
At least I’m not alone. Thanks to those of you who said you’re also ‘over it’ on my Facebook Weather Page.
Here’s the problem: our record highs this time of year are mainly in the 80s. Our average highs are in the 60s. And we can’t find either one of them!
The picture here shows why: the Jet Stream (which forms on the border between warm and cool air) has been too far south this spring, for too long. Not unheard of in La Nina springs. But this time, we’re taking ‘cool spring’ to the extreme!
Portland’s April 2011 Headed For The Record Books
- Portland’s average high is just 54.5 degrees this April. That’s the coldest on record.
- Portland’s had just three days hit 60 this year. That’s the fewest on record for this late in April. In fact, in an average year, we’ve already had 19 days at or above 60 degrees!
- Portland’s overall average temperature this April (so this combines the high and low each day) is just 47 degrees. That’s the fourth coldest on record.
Can we break out of this trend and avoid landing in the record books?
If so, we’d better finish April with record breaking heat. But this spring, the odds of that are low. Very low!
Hi Bruce, Not an easy time to be a weather man. I have been wondering if this cold weather is a trend across the country. We were down in Arizona a few weeks back and it was not the usually warm weather.
Does this tie into Global Warming, or as it has been changed to “Climate Change?” I know this has been a hot political button that should have more to do with science and less with politics.
My wife and I enjoy your enthusiasm for your job. Keep up the good work.
Bob
Hi Bob,
Our cool spring is most likely tied into La Nina which tends to cause these for many of the northern tier states.
It was unusually cool for us, too, when we were down in Palm Desert (near Palm Springs) over spring break. I’d chalk that up to ‘it was just a cool year’ more than anything else.
And you’re right–the whole global warming and climate change labeling and debate has turned into a political issue way too often. But one year of extreme heat or cool doesn’t prove anything on the topic.
Thanks again for your note!
I was wondering now that we are ready to start June is this the coldest spring on record yet? I live in the mid valley and it seems like we have had very little sun and warmth yet.
Mark–we’re finally going to see some 80s this weekend. But overall, I still expect June to be cooler than average. Hopefully not as cool as it has been, though!