November being itself

According to the 30-year normals in the PRISM database, November is our wettest month with over 10½ inches on average. We're doing just fine in that regard, ten days in - and much more is coming soon!

Much of the coming week's precipitation is coming with cool air, therefore snow in the mountains will measure several feet by Thanksgiving. Ski areas will rejoice, and skiers as well.

Since we're over 3½" already and this forecast graphic for the next seven days is for ~six additional inches, it appears that November will be an average damp month at the very least. December and January average over nine inches each so the wet season has just begun.. again.

The yard is quite covered in maple leaves, but the trees are not done dropping their loads. The vine maple is still holding on but the best colors have now passed. The prettiest days of autumn are passed, and the clouds are definitely in charge.

11/18 UPDATE - the six inches did not materialize but we're still on track for a normal month. We received quite a lot of rain at times but not quite at the predicted times. Today was pretty but it goes downhill again tomorrow. Just an ordinary November..

return of the varied thrush

Now that leaves are on the ground that need flipping over, the varied thrush have returned! That didn't take long.. I wonder where they hang out when leaves are staying put on their trees?

chance of ..snow!

We've now dropped into the mid-30s at night, and soon our clocks fall back an hour. No daylight to save any more so why not - I'd still prefer a half-hour step and lock it down. I'm funny like that.

Areas of NW Washington got some snow this morning! Not much in general but the traditional perfect-storm pattern has set up with cold air and a pinch of over-water moisture fetch. /Charts and details here./  Sunday night shows our best chance at 800' in SW Washington, we'll see how that goes.

I've often seen snow around Thanksgiving in my lifetime, but closer to Halloween? Not often.