It’s probably a little rude to post about Washington and Oregon’s spring weather outlook while my relatives in Kansas are getting buried in another foot of snow.
But I’m going to do it anyway!
The number one question I’ve been getting lately is this: “Is Portland going to have another lousy wet and cool spring?”
The answer is no–and yes–in that order according to the latest NOAA issued 90 day forecasts which cover March, April and May 2013 rain and temperature outlooks across the United States.
If this is right, much of the United States (hi-lighted in brown tones) will be unusually dry this spring. The spring forecast for the northwest has Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon and San Francisco and Los Angeles all unusually dry this spring. In Oregon & Washington, this is a continuation of a dry start to 2013. So hopefully we can at least dry out this spring, for once! Areas in white on this map are “EC” or have “equal chances” of being wet or dry. In other words, there’s no way to predict in these areas based on current conditions.
But here’s the kicker, which I hope isn’t true: if this outlook is right the mid-west and northeast are going to have another unusually warm spring ahead. Something many places that are experiencing drought absolutely do not want. And the only part of the country forecast to be unusually cool this spring? That’s right, Vancouver, British Columbia is forecast to have a cool spring. Seattle is expected to have cooler than normal spring temperatures. And Portland is predicted to have cooler than average spring temperatures. You can add Spokane’s spring temperature outlook and Boise’s temperature outlook for spring 2013 to the list of cool spots all shaded blue on this map.
The fun thing with outlooks is that we now have three months to sit back and watch how they play out. I hope NOAA is right about our rain and the spring is not a washout. And if there’s less rain, then let’s bring on some ‘bonus sun’ and really enjoy ourselves!
But based on the last few springs here in Oregon and Washington, that would be asking way too much….
Bruce- in my experience, cool springs are usually wet ones. I hope you’re wrong about my area. The last warm/dry spring I can recall here was in 2004.
i hope spring break wont be to wet on the oregon coast, we are headed that way march 22
Linda–
I know. I think of the years that spring break is worse than the week before or after. Hopefully this year it will be nicer than those weeks!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog.
It would be nice to have a drier and warmer spring. I’m tired of having a lousy planting and gardening season. lol
Chalet–I am soooo with you. Fingers crossed we’ll have a nice one. We deserve it!
Thanks for your post.