Long.
Hot.
Summer.
Turning into an unusually mild fall 2014.
With vegetables and fruit in your garden growing like crazy the whole time. As long as you remember to water them!
I’m watching two specific weather & climate trends that play into high hopes for our gardens:
- An early shift to summer weather patterns and warmer temperatures this year for the Northwest. Portland had its first 80 degree day on April 30th (earlier than average) and hit 91 degrees on May 14th. The average date for Portland’s first 90 degree day is not until June 16th. Yep, looks like an early start to the heat.
- Odds are ‘growing’ that El Nino, which changes global weather patterns, is about to develop again in the Pacific Ocean. This should extend the growing season by giving us unusually mild temperatures into September and October.
Here is the official NOAA temperature outlook for summer 2014. This map shows June, July and August. The orange and brown colors are where temperatures are expected to be above average. This includes Oregon, Washington and parts of Idaho. If you have friends in the Dakotas or Great Lakes states they have a cooler than normal summer 2014 forecast. These are the blue areas. Be sure to send them lots of pictures from your garden this year! Note: white areas on map = uncertain forecast.
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This is the fall 2014 temperature forecast. Â On this NOAA map we’re looking at September, October and November. The return of El Nino plays into this forecast to give Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and much of California an unusually mild fall. This means an extended growing season on both sides of the Cascades this year!
Personally, I’m most excited about the prospects of watermelon in our garden growing into, well, an actual edible water melon this year. Normally, they’re about half done when the rain or frost gets them.
What are your big hopes for your garden this summer and fall? And if you have any growing tips, please share!
So good to have your report, on my E-mail page. I have not watched channel 6 weather, since you left., just not the same. Miss your smiling face, and positive attitude. Thanks again, for the report.
Pat:
Thanks for your nice comments. I really appreciate them!
Bruce
Hi Bruce; I wish these NOAA maps would include ALL the area from the 50 states TO the Alaska border. Why do they stop just north of the border?? Anyway, I like the long range forecast. Here in Vancouver,BC we had a wet start to spring but it’s turned around nicely as well. i’ve seen the temperature hit the 80’s twice this month.
Roland:
I totally agree with you. At the least, get NOAA and Environment Canada to put out a combined map.
Assuming they can agree, of course!
Hope you are doing well and thanks for your post.
Bruce
Is 2014 going to be one of those years that makes the Pacific Northwest feel more like a Mediterranean climate? Could be!
Karl:
We are about to find out! Thanks for your comment.
Bruce
Bruce,
We agree with Pat Lawson….not watching koin6, news or weather. Most of all, on television or in public, your professional comportment has been enhanced by that smile and positive attitude! Your friends in the Gorge are delighted with the website and blog…thank you. Re: the garden…watermelon for thee and eggplants for me!
Kind regards and the very best to you and your lovely family.
Johanna:
I appreciate your greetings from the Gorge and thanks so much for stopping by the blog.
Now,let’s see how your eggplants do. Nice rhyme on that one, by the way. Be sure and let me know how it goes!
Bruce
Miss your passion about the weather. Koin isn’t the same.
Thanks, Matthew.
I appreciate your note!
Bruce
Miss your weather forecasts and yes they are certainly not the same. Miss your smile!