By Rod Hill on 2010-10-31
A wet October will go into the books following what was a wet September. As of Saturday evening, PDX had received 3.64" of rain with more on the way into Sunday morning. The October average is 2.88 inches. Outlooks call for near normal temperatures November with above normal rainfall. The outlooks continue to call for cool and wet weather December and January. All in line with this winter's La Nina prediction.
Things to watch: Will November or December get crazy with rain amounts approaching ten inches? If we get winter weather, meaning snow or ice, will it occur between mid-December and January 10th? The last few heavy winter events have all occurred in the mentioned time frame. Will February be quiet and dry? Most of the last ten years have seen hardly any Feb. weather. Will we see a few strong coast windstorms? How about a valley windstorm?
All of the above will see either heightened chances this winter due to La Nina conditions - or - are events we are statistically due for. References refer to the valley and Portland, Salem metro areas unless otherwise stated.
2007 La Nina Saw Big Snow Year