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Typically big weather events get 'weather people' pumped up. And this was the case for me over the past 24 hours!
Yesterday, watching this big storm push toward the Northwest, I had an inexplicable feeling of excitement. Indeed, it was my anticipation of today's big fall storm. I watched the clouds pushing in, entertained my thoughts of some mountain snow in the Cascades...and was just psyched about fall's arrival and the returning storm season. Before Thursday night was out, I had to do something with all my 'weather energy' - so I ran out to Fred Meyer and grabbed an indoor/outdoor thermometer with a mini weather forecast and the barometric pressure - I had an old one, but this big event called for some upgrading. =) So then I was all set - I had my upgraded mini-weather station, I had my satellites and radars up on my laptop, and I just sat and waited. Well, actually, I went to bed, and waited...but you get the point. =)
When I woke up this morning at 3:15am to get ready for the morning newscast, sure enough, the rain had arrived. And when I got to work around 4am, I found a Timberline Lodge camera that showed the season's first snow.
A shot from Timberline Lodge around 9am, September 28, 2007
And now the storm is pushing away. And I'm a bit disappointed that this storm is done so soon. But, hey, I live in Oregon now. This storm is just the first of many! True, the thought of rain's return may be a dreadful thing for some of you...but personally, I'm looking forward to the storms. =)
And so there's my 'juicy' diary entry...detailing my weather excitement from the past 24 hours. Okay, okay, it's really not juicy...not even a little bit...but it just goes to show...we really do love this stuff. =)
Joe M.
So while hiking through the beautiful Oregon wilderness yesterday, one thing kept echoing in my head... No, it wasn't the forecast. =) It was actually the thought of how much I love living here in the Northwest.
First, the weather could not have been more perfect. Crisp and comfortable, a clear blue sky, bright sunshine - just perfect! And the Oregon wilderness was the perfect compliment to that nice weather.
Photo of Hagg Lake, Courtesy of the US Bureau of Reclamation
I headed out to Hagg Lake, and with the sun shining off the water, it really was heavenly. And I just had to get out there - because our weather is about to take a huge tumble!
Expect clouds to thicken today, and then rain will arrive tonight! And some rain can be expected every day from tonight all the way through the end of next week. And talk about chilly - highs will only be in the lower and middle 60s.
All that rain could be a good thing - right now Hagg Lake is only 33% full. So the rainy season will certainly do some good for our water supply. And most forecasts indicate that this year's rainy season will be a fairly active one.
And even if that isn't enough to make you happy about the approaching rain, at least with our rainy season...and winter...some more Oregon wonders will be ready to be enjoyed...like snow covered Cascade peaks! I should be a marketing rep for the state... =)
Joe M.
Here we go... Our first sign that fall is here . Yes the season offically changed last Sunday but Thursday night the weather pattern offically changes. An unseasonably cool weather system is dropping in from The Gulf Of Alaska. Oregon and southwest Washington will have one more dry and mild day before the rain reaches us.
Computer models put the rain arriving to the north coast in the afternoon. Locally the rain should hold off until evening. Colder air arrives behind the initial rain bands.
As the colder air arrives Thursday night snow levels fall rapidly. By early Friday morning snow might be sticking as low as the 4000ft elevation. Most of the mountain passes could see some light accumulations of snow or a mix of snow and rain. I think sticking snow will be most likely above 4,500ft.
The cooler and damp weather pattern will likely continue through the weekend and into the middle part of next week. Yep here we go - fall has arrived
Dave
This is the time of year that I personally love. Temperatures are a bit cooler...cool and crisp. The sky is clear. And the feel of fall is in the air. Something that happens only this time of year - the Harvest Moon.
The full moon has a different name in every month, and this month's moon - the Harvest Moon - is arguably the most well-known. Of course, we talk about it as though it's a different moon each month...but it's always the same moon! It's just that in earlier times, before the advent of the modern calendar, each month's moon was named so people could keep track of what time of year it was.
The reason the Harvest Moon is so special is that northern farmers have traditionally used the early evening moonlight from the Harvest Moon to see as they harvest their crops. Thus its name. The Harvest Moon is always the moon that falls closest to the arrival of autumn, year in and year out.
And the sky has been so clear that you have been able to see this year's Harvest Moon. I snapped the below photo last night. It was a gorgeous night, and another gorgeous night can be expected tonight...with a clear and cool sky...before autumn rains arrive late tomorrow, and then last through the weekend!
Shot of the moon as seen from Hillsboro, Oregon on the evening of September 25, 2007
Joe M.
Yesterday I wrote on this blog about the lack of precipitation we've seen this month. Looks like that's about to change. An unusually cool and damp system in now taking shape in the Gulf of Alaska.
The University of Washington's MM5 computer model brings the colder air into the Pacific Northwest Thursday night. Winter weather freaks, don't get to excited.This is not a big system. Locally Portland, may get anywhere from .20" to .33" of rain. What this system is not lacking is cold air. IT'S CHILLY. The MM5, is forcasting temperatures of 32 degrees Friday morning in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington. We could see snow levels down to 4000ft.
Even though its not very potent, I can hear the ski resort operators up and down the Cascade Mountains saying -WIPPEEE! The graphic above does shows snow is possible as low as 4000ft. The best accumulations will be above 5000ft.
Here at the big 8ski (insiders name for KGW) we always go crazy about the first mountain snow. You can bet we'll have a live truck stationed at Timberline Lodge awaiting the first flake... It's also tradition around here that coverage of that first snow goes to the rookie reporter. That means the newbie Katherine Cook, will be standing out in in cold and snow... Stand by for live pictures.
Dave
Fall is offically here... Temperatures are cooler, leaves are turning on the trees, just one thing is missing - rain. September, is shaping up to be another month with less than average rainfall. The wettest month we've had in recent times was July, precipitation was just .17" below normal.
Normally July is a relatively dry month - go figure!
As a matter of record it's been a long time since Portland, has seen a month with normal or above normal precipitation. Since January not a single month in 2007 has had average rainfall totals. The last time we had normal or above normal rain amounts was last year! Really... December 2006.
In case you're wondering since the start of the year Portland Airport has recorded 15.28" of precipitation, that's 7.17" below where we should be for this time of year.
Dave
So I subscribe to an image e-mail list from the folks at NASA. They usually send some amazing photos of hurricanes and other weather phenomenon. The photos I got recently were indeed amazing...but for a different reason.
The following is from NASA:
"Arctic summer sea ice has reached its lowest extent on record - nearly 25% less than the previous low set in 2005. At the end of each summer, the sea ice cover reaches its minimum extent and what is left is what is called the perennial ice cover, which consists mainly of thick multi-year ice floes. The area of the perennial ice has been steadily decreasing since the satellite record began in 1979, at a rate of about 10% per decade. But the 2007 minimum, reached around September 14, is far below the previous record made in 2005 and is about 38% lower than the climatological average. Such a dramatic loss has implications for ecology, climate and industry..."
Picture taken September 21, 2005 [Courtesy NASA]
Picture taken September 16, 2007 [Courtesy NASA]
You can see in the above images the visible decline in ice between the 2005 level and the 2007 level. Is it global warming, or just a natural occurence?
Joe M.
So Laural Porter and I were chatting on the set tonight, and we got on the subject of 'Race for the Cure.' This huge event...happening this weekend right here in Portland...is the biggest race of any kind on the West Coast. In fact, they're hoping 50,000 people will participate this year - fifty thousand! It's goal is to raise money for breast cancer treatment and research.
Logo courtesy KomenOregon.org
The weather on Sunday is looking pretty nice right now. A front is going to move through early Saturday, and in its wake a weak area of high pressure will build in. So Sunday morning looks to be dry for the race, and temperatures will be comfortable - in the 50s.
If you head out to the race, you'll be helping in the fight against breast cancer...you'll get to enjoy some great weather...and you may also meet some Channel 8 folks! We have our own team, with more than 30 people! In fact, that team has raised more than $5,000 dollars - 7th best among all teams that are participating.
I know I speak for Laural when I welcome you to come and participate in this event. It kicks off at SW Taylor and Naito Parkway on Sunday morning. The first race begins at 7:30am, but activities will continue throughout the morning. What about registration? You can register at the Komen Health Expo at the convention center tomorrow and Saturday, or at the race itself Sunday morning. The registration fee is $25. And all monies collected, whether they be from donations or registration fees, go to breast cancer research and treatment.
Hope to see you out there!
Photo courtesy CommissionerSam.com
Joe M.
Only 3 days left of summer & fall is certainly in the air. A cool and dry airmass has settled over the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures tonight will be the coolest we've seen since late spring!
A lot of furnances will be kicking on tonight, our Adonis futurecast computer model give Portland, a low of 45 degrees Thursday Morning.
I think we'll actually be a little cooler than that. The airport & downtown could get down to around 42 to 43 degrees. Outside of the downtown area I wouldn't be surprised if upper 30s popped up ---er--- in this case dropped down on backyard thermometers.
The good news is we'll get plenty of afternoon sunshine and that means highs will climb into the lower 70s in the afternoon. The dry weather pattern with cool nights and mild days will continue through the weekend.
Dave
Inherent with being a weatherman, there are many risks and hazards that we face every day. For example...umm...hmmm. Okay, there are virtually no hazards in being a weatherguy...other than getting things thrown at you if you get the forecast wrong too many times. =) But this morning...a new hazard popped up.
That hazard - being tempted to adopt a little animal! We do the 'Pet of the Week' on our sunrise newscast, every Wednesday at around 20 minutes after six. It's when we'll show a deserving animal that is looking for a new home. It's typically a fun-loving dog, or an adorable little cat. Today's pet of the week...well, I may be adopting it myself.
This little cat had fun, fluffy ears, was purring like a maching, and just seemed like a great addition to the household. And so now I'm sitting here trying to decide whether or not to adopt this little guy. I know my cat at home right now...well, she hisses at all living things, whether it be another person, another cat, a dog, a horse, an ostrich...you get the point. =) So that's a concern...but maybe she'd enjoy the company? So this is what the weatherman is thinking about at 7:15am. No one warned me I'd be tempted to get a new little animal when filling in on the morning show! =)
So there we go...my somewhat random blog about animals. If you were looking for some weather...well...okay.
Warmer weather is back tomorrow, with 70s expected into the weekend. Should stay mostly dry, too, with more sunshine on the way over the next several days.
There you go...just in case...for some odd reason...you expected to read about weather in the 'weather blog.' =)
Joe M.
Well I'm back from a week of peddling around the state. Another Cycle Oregon is in books. This year 485 miles in 6 days, ride organizers didn't scrimp on the hills, over 28,000 vertical feet climbed, nearly the height of Mt. Everest.
I've done several Cycle Oregon tours in the past but this I think was the best. First I had two great friends to ride with
Dave Haneman, is in the center, Bruce Kent is on the right. Dave, works here at the big 8 ski in our graphics department. Bruce is a broker for Edward Jones. The picture was taken on September 11th, at the top of Crater Lake. The Last time Cycle Oregon paid the lake a visit was 2004. That year we climbed to the 7800 foot elevation of the craters rim only to be forced off because of a surpise September snow storm!
This was the 20th anniversary for Cycle Oregon. Over 2300 riders from nearly all 50 states and several countries took part. Here's a picture of the group at La Pine, our day two destination.
You'll notice that a fair number of the riders are wearing stocking caps and warm coats - it got down to 28 degrees that night. Nothing like a little frost on the tent in the morning, let alone a frosty bicycle seat - gives new meaning to the term "cool ride."
Speaking of tents here's a look at tent city.
That's right 2300 of us living in tents for a week! Every morning tent city would break down and every afternoon it would pop up at another location any where from 60 to 100 miles away from the days starting point. Cycle Oregon riders out numbered the resident of all the towns we visited. Sisters, La Pine, Diamond Lake, Dorena Lake, & Rainbow. Sisters was the largest town at just under 2000 people.
In Rainbow, a tiny community on the banks of the McKenzie River east of Eugene, the residents put up a banner welcoming us. Not just Rainbow, but all the towns and villages we peddled to the welcome was warm and genuine.
Counting this year I have ridden in at least 7 Cycle Oregon tours. Over the years I've have become enlightened to a few things I would like to pass along with regards to Cycle Oregon and long distance bicycle touring.
1. If you set your mind to something you can make your body follow - specifically butt
and legs.
2. If I ride a 100 miles a day I have no guilt about eating 3 pieces of pizza drinking two
beers.
3. Despite wearing spandex, after riding 100 miles a day nobody calls you a wimp.
4. Bicycling is truly the best way to see the state. You see and smell everything.
You talk to and become friends people in the communities you visit
5. People in country are the same as people from the city. There is no them and us.
It's just us...
So I subscribe to the Oregonian, and get the paper every day. Reading the paper every day...well, that's another story. =) I point this out because I just finally read my Sunday paper...from last Sunday...and found a pretty interesting story on the front page.
The headline..."Greenland ice melt shocks scientists." The theme was that while Greenland's glaciers have been melting, the rate at which they are now melting was unexpected...as they are melting faster than anticipated. In fact, the melting glaciers are adding 58-trillion gallons of freshwater to our oceans every year...more than twice the rate of just ten years ago.
A recent photo of Greenland's shrinking glaciers, courtesy of Creative Commons
All that freshwater being dumped into the oceans - it could impact our weather right here in Oregon. The oceans are a huge driver in weather across the globe. And as the mix of salt and freshwater in our oceans changes, storm tracks are expected to shift. In fact, those storm tracks have already started shifting. And here in Oregon and Washington, more storms could push through as a result...and turn our wet weather even wetter.
That's not the only significant thing coming out of this story, though. Again, the premise is that climate models got the rate of melting with these Greenland glaciers wrong. In fact, this much melting wasn't expected for several more decades. And so if the climate models got that wrong...what else are they getting wrong when it comes to climate change? There are concerns that these computer models are too conservative, and that climate change is going to change our weather...and our world...more quickly than expected.
Something to keep track of, to say the least.
Joe M.
I've come to love the Pacific Northwest...the sparkling Pacific Ocean, the jagged tops of the Cascade Range, the beauty of the Willamette Valley, and the clearest, deepest blue sky I have ever seen. But another reason I'm so thankful to be here - the weather!
Why? Because it's so varied, and truly interesting - from a weatherman perspective. =)
A great example is this week. It started off sunny, hot, and incredibly dry. Essentially, we had desert-like air in place across western Oregon and Washington. Then, by yesterday, the Pacific Ocean was back to work...pumping cloudy, moist, and chilly air back into the area. In fact, temperatures dropped by 30 degrees between Monday and yesterday. It was amazing to watch this transition happen...to watch the weather basically go from desert-like weather, to coastal ocean weather...in a matter of just 72 hours. Incredible.
As far as the forecast goes, that ocean air from yesterday is still in place today - so don't expect much sunshine! Instead, it will stay mostly cloudy and quite cool, too, with highs again in the 60s. By this weekend it should warm up by just a few degrees.
The morning clouds as they looked from the Rose City skycam
7:30am, Friday
Have a great weekend!
Joe M.
Our heat-wave has come to an end, and fall-like weather is pushing toward the region! Yesterday highs were only in the middle 70s - and they'll stay there for the weekend as the clouds thicken. That's not all - by next week showers will be back.
So hints of fall are in the air - but what do the statistics say about what's on the way for the end of the month? And what about October?
On average, as we head into the latter part of September, afternoon highs get cooler and cooler - by the end of the month, the average high is only 70. And, of course, it also gets cooler at night - the average low by September 30 is actually in the upper 40s. And that trend continues through October. By the time October wraps up, average highs are in the 50s, average lows are close to 40, and...the rain is typically about to return!
For detailed climate statistics on Portland's weather and climate, visit this National Weather Service page - loaded with data.
So, overall, you can expect very pleasant weather over the next six weeks, as cooler fall air pushes in with a mixture of sunshine and clouds.
Sounds good! =)
Joe M.
Some clouds may be pushing back into the Portland area, but overall, it's still beautiful! And even for the upcoming weekend, some sunshine will stick around. As you surely know, soon our fall and winter rains will be back, and weekend plans will probably be of the indoor variety. So now is the time to enjoy that weekend sunshine...and one way you can do that...SCUBA diving!
I know, I know, what am I talking about? Spending several years in Florida, I became an amateur SCUBA diver, and enjoyed some of the coral reefs in the Keys and man-made reefs off the Florida panhandle. I can tell you it's an amazing experience. Breathing underwater...swimming with the ocean life...you truly feel like you are a fish, living in another world...even if for only a few moments. The underwater world...the sights you can take in - just breathtaking.
Photo of Thailand SCUBA Scene
Here in the Pacific Northwest, the diving may be a bit different from what I'm used to...i.e., I'm going to freeze! But it will also be different in a good way...offering some new scenery, sure to be amazing.
If you're interested in SCUBA diving, I'd definitely recommend it...it's just an incredible thing to do. It's best, though, to get certified before doing your first dive. SCUBA diving has some inherent dangers, some of which can be life-threatening if you don't have the right skillset. Once you're certified you can safely explore numerous dive sites all across the Pacific Northwest - right here in Oregon, and a lot more up toward Puget Sound.
For more information on Oregon SCUBA diving, and some information on getting certified, click here to go to the Oregon SCUBA Divers website.
Whatever you plan on doing this weekend, enjoy! Temperatures will be in the 70s, and we'll see at least some sunshine both Saturday and Sunday.
Joe M.
If you've been watching over the past few days, it's probably no big surprise that it's been hot...and will be hot for one more day! What's so amazing about this hot weather, though, really isn't revealed until you look into the little details.
First, let's look at just how much temperatures have gone up - and down - in one day. I'll use Hillsboro because it's the best example. Yesterday morning the temperature bottomed out at 46 degrees - 46! And by afternoon it warmed to 93. That's nearly a 50-degree temperature swing in about twelve hours...pretty amazing. But that's not all.
The temperature swings that took place from hour to hour were pretty impressive, too. In Portland yesterday at 11am, the temperature checked in at 74. By noon it shot up to 86. Twelve degrees warmer in one hour! What happened in that one hour to push the temperature up so quickly? Our winds switched to an easterly direction.
To look at those hourly weather observations, click here.
I talked about it in my Monday blog - the quick overview is that easterly breezes have been descending the windward side of the Cascades, and as they do so they heat up. So all that heated air just surges right into the region. It's a front of sorts- and behind it, hot and dry air lurks.
So between 11am and noon yesterday, that front arrived, and the hot air pushed in.
But all this is about to change. The huge upper-level ridge of high pressure that has given us this warm weather is going to start breaking down...and cooler Pacific air will begin oozing in. Chances are, this will be the last 90-degree day we'll see until next summer. So if you like the warm sun - enjoy!
Joe M.
An ideal combination has our region roasting under a mostly sunny sky today - even though it's September 10th!
The setup that's pumping up our temperatures... A large upper-level ridge has pushed in aloft, so air is sinking toward the surface, and warming as it goes. This allows a thermal trough to develop as far west as the coast; that's the first critical step. Once that trough is established, winds begin pushing in out of the east. Those easterly breezes push air down the windward sides of the Cascades - and as the air sinks, it warms up...and inundates the valleys and the metro area. Voila, temperatures soar to near 95 today in Portland!
If you're thinking of soaking up some of this hot sunshine today, don't forget the sunscreen. Even though the sun is getting lower and lower in the sky as summer wraps up - and so the sun is not quite as strong - there is still a huge amount of UV-radiation making it to the Northwest. In fact, today's UV-index is a 6 - considered to be high by the EPA.
Most people will burn in as little as 30 minutes with a UV-index of 6 - unless you put on some sunscreen. An SPF of 4 means it'll take about 120 minutes to burn...an SPF of 8 gives you 240 minutes... Basically you multiply the normal 'burn-time' by the SPF number to see how long you can 'safely' stay out in the sun.
To keep track of the UV-index for your zip code, check out this EPA website.
Good luck staying cool today...and tomorrow! Relief is on the horizon - by week's end, highs will only be near 80.
Joe M.
For many, this burst of summer weather is a welcome sight. The sky has been clear, breezes have been warm, and temperatures have warmed to the 90-degree range. But some of us may not be so happy about this toasty sunshine - especially the kids that are back in school.
With temperatures expected to hit 94 by Monday afternoon...and to be only a degree or two cooler Tuesday...schools across the region will be baking. But keeping your kids cool during this unusually warm weather may be easier than you think. The American Red Cross recommends the following:
- dress children in loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
- encourage children to drink plenty of water throughout the day (even if they're not thirsty)
- avoid caffeinated drinks like pop; they make it harder for the body to stay cool
- take it easy in gym class or recess
If your kids do a few of these things tomorrow and Tuesday, they'll stay healthy, and will be able to enjoy some of this late-summer sunshine. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail for additional suggestions.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Joe M.
Labor Day has come and gone, and so summer is unofficially over! And with the sun slipping down over the horizon earlier and earlier each night, it's feeling more like fall. Nothing says fall, though, like the changing of the leaves.
Chances are you may have noticed some leaves already beginning to change - hues of yellow, even some reds mixed in. And of course, this is just the start of things to come.
As the days continue getting shorter, and the nights colder, deciduous trees will continue to produce less chlorophyll. And since chlorophyll is what keeps the leaves green, having less allows the leaves to change color...into the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that make autumn in the Northwest so amazing.
Typically the show starts right around this time of year, and doesn't peak until mid-October! So we have plenty of time to enjoy the sights.
Once the show really gets going, taking a drive to soak it all in could be a great way to spend a weekend. The Historic Columbia River Highway is one great route that will surely reveal some amazing scenery. Heading into the Cascades on Highway 26 is another way to go. Or you can always take Highway 2 outside of Seattle, and check out some of the fall colors up in Washington State.
If you have any good routes you want to share, feel free to post a comment here on the blog!
Also, if you've got kids, hope their school year is off to a great start. And hope everyone's September is going well so far, too. Personally, I'm getting excited...winter - my favorite season - is right around the corner! =)
Joe M.
Summer that is. In August temperatures average temperatures for the month were 2.0 degrees below normal. Only 4 days last month had highs at 90 degrees or hotter.
It looks like were going for make up for August over the next 6 to 7 days. High pressure is building in and will be bringing some very warm temperatures to the northwest.
The ridge will set up north of us and begin to pull drier and warmer air from the east and south. The easterly winds or " Off Shore Winds" will let the thermometer climb into the middle to upper 80s by early next week...That's well above average.
When a pattern like this gets established it takes a while for it to break down. If this was December or January it would mean days of cold dry & weather. East winds howling down the Columbia River Gorge at 30 to 50mph. Since it's September It means sunny, very warm & dry weather. The east winds will develop and could reach 30mph at the west end of the gorge by Tuesday & Wednesday.
I'll be off the next few days riding Cycle Oregon. Six days, 500 miles on a bicycle across Oregon. This year the masochists who organize the ride have us climbing to the top of Crater Lake, then riding around the rim... Hmmm sounds like fun!
With an apology to Don Mclean... I was saddened to hear of the death of Luciano Pavarotti this morning. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, The music I listened to was Boston, The Eagles, Steely Dan, Van Halen and a host of other bands. Big guitars and loud drum solos. I'm a child of the rock and roll generation.
Opera... Opera! Yuk! That's not music that's the sound of cats fighting on the back fence. That changed New Years Eve 1992, it's a night my life changed. It's the night I discovered opera, more importantly the night I heard Luciano Pavarotti, Live!
It was in Memorial Coliseum, weather was typical late December cold and wet outside. Inside the Coliseum...to this day I don't think I've ever seen as many fur coats and diamonds on women and men wearing tie and tails in one place. Sandy & I had been given the tickets courtesy of a local radio station, they were in the nose bleed section.
Great I thought. I'm trying to impress my spouse on New Years Eve... I've got bad seats to concert with a bunch of snooty old people, what a way to bring in 1993!...The house lights go down and curtain comes up... It's hard to describe what happened to me over the next three hours. To this day 14 years later I still get chilIs. To put it mildly I became a devotee of Pavarotti, and Opera. Over the years our CD collection has come to include lots of Pavarotti, my personal favorite his live concert in London's Hyde Park.
Sandy & I went to Luciano's last concert here in Portland a few years ago. He was beginning to show his age, his health was starting to deteriorate. He was no longer " King Of The High C." Still it was a great concert, and I will always be glad we went.
Needless to say I did shed a tear on my way into work this morning when I heard of Pavarotti's death. Today when I go Home I plug My I-pod in and turn up Pavarotti on my drive home... It will be loud... After all I'm a child of the rock and roll generation.
I've included a U-Tube link for It's Luciano Pavarotti, singing Puccini's Nussen Dorma, Pavarotti's signature song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4
You may remember that last week I blogged about finding 4 kittens under our rose bushes in the front yard. The kittens were the litter of a stray cat that showed up on our back patio about a month and a half ago. The mother of the kittens who we named Vamp de Tramp, disappeared a couple of days before the kittens were discovered. Vamp, by the way is still MIA ... (missing in action).
Here's some pictures of the brood. Also known as the gang of 4.
For the past week the kittens have lived in daughter Karen's bathroom. The care and feeding has been a neighborhood project. Neighbors, friends & family have all helped Sandy, Karen & Me take care of the our new charges.
Vamp de Tramp abandoned the gang of 4 way - way before they could fend for themselves. It was touch and go for a couple days. Getting the kittens to feed from a bottle was a challenge. After a week and a half I can report the gang of 4 is doing well. Very well. The eat on there own... And can they eat a wow! Where does all that food go!
Knowing we could never keep the kittens permanently I arranged with Oregon Humane Society to put the kittens into temporary foster care. Tuesday afternoon I took the gang, down to the Humane Society and had to fight back tears as I left them :-(
The good news is in a about 4 weeks, I'll see the kittens again. The Oregon Humane Society and I have worked out a deal where the kittens will come back and we will put them on our Pet Of The Week segment. FYI, Pet Of The Week airs during our morning news show on Wednesday's at 6:10 AM. So if you're looking for one to four kittens with a great story behine them, stay tuned!
Oh there is somebody I have to point out who's very happy the kittens are gone.
Joey.
Woke up this morning and you could tell things have changed! After a long holiday weekend it was get up and go back to work. For most kids it's the start of another school year. Last but never least rain was pouring out of the sky! As Bill Schonley, would say... Bingo Bango Bongo!
The rain started about 3 AM and for about 3 hours it poured across parts of Willamette Valley & the Portland Metro area.
Good ol' Troutdale, gateway to the gorge picked up almost .40" of rain between 3 AM and 8 AM this morning. I think the heaviest rain has moved off to the east. I expect a combination of showers and sun breaks for the rest of the day. The afternoon sun breaks and the cool damp air aloft may even generate some thunderstorms.
Here's the good news... Today is just a taste of fall. We're not done with summer like weather yet. High pressure, with drier and warmer conditions will return by Tomorrow. Thursday thru the weekend we are looking at sunny skies with highs back into the 80s.
On the long range charts, fair and dry weather will likely stick around through the middle of the month.
Dave
A recent winter forecast was released by George Taylor of the Oregon Climate Service. And if he's right, we better get ready for plenty of rain...and even some good doses of snow!
The outlook, month-by-month, looks something like this:
October - mild & dry
November- mild & wet
December - cold & wet
January - colder & wetter
February - very cold & wetter
March - cold & wet
All of those terms, 'cold and wet', are compared to our average - so a 'cold and wet' forecast for December, for example, would indicate colder and wetter than average.
Ouch! Looks like we better enjoy the warm sunshine while we can. But there's an important aspect to this that can't be overlooked.
This cold and wet winter outlook is heavily based on the thought that La Nina, a cooling of the Pacific waters by the equator, will develop over the next several months. It would then impact our weather pattern and give us what looks to be a pretty drastic dose of winter weather. And many computer models indicate that La NIna will develop. But there are still other models that say to hold on - that La Nina may not develop. If it doesn't, this winter would probably be a bit more tame than what this outlook is calling for.
So it'll be interesting to see how it turns out. Either way, with the unofficial end of summer upon us and our warm sunshine fading fast, it's not a bad idea to enjoy that sun while it's still around!
Have a great Labor Day. =)
Joe M.
May 2008
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