Spring has sprung in the PNW

[windy]

[emoji119] WooHoo

 

[Edgewood]

And a long time coming at that!

 

[klahanie]

We're getting some gorgeous weather here in SW BC. Around 70F. Forecast: awesome for rest of month. Two days to the solstice and the snow in the mountains is melting fast. Hey and there's already been a careless caused grass fire on the South Island ! Possible dry conditions ahead are already a concern so the time is now for me to get there and do stuff.

In the interesting times that we're living in its been something to experience the early season some of you to the south of here might be more used to.

 

[windy]

A lot of folks are around me are really worried about the fire season, especially if we have a really warm spring and the snow melts fairly quickly.

 

[klahanie]

^ I believe it, depending on the area.

For some folks wildfire is a very real concern. For us here at home, it really only affects travel. Earlier in the year is what I'm pushing for, if the earlier season keeps going this way, if that means staying at home in Aug so be it.

Speaking of snow melt, on a local hike 1 week ago there was 75cm of snow on the trailbed, at 700m in the trees. Temp at home that day was 7.6C. Today same spot, their were only patches, to a depth of ~10cm. High today at home was 24.7C. That's July weather on the first partial day of Spring. If this keeps up the forest will dry out sooner than ideal.

We'll see what the rain does next few months ...

 

[LuckyDan]

If anyone is curious what the crystal ball says for the US:

https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

And including Canada and Mexico:

https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/NA_Outlook.pdf