Peonies

Peonies which usually start growing in Mid March and
bloom around the first of April are already forming bloom
 heads.  This indicates we are about three weeks ahead of normal.

Weather

Friday February 27

 The hope & dream for improving the west coast snow pack will have to wait.

 Earlier expectation for a possible 'winter slap' across the PNW is now removed.  It will be frosty, when the cold, NE wind settles down on both sides of the Cascades. First shot arrives later Friday, with a brisk wind from the north turning on later Saturday.  The Second shot (which we thought would have the most impact), but still enough of a glance to bring brisk conditions after a few showers Mon/Tue. FROSTY overnight everywhere the wind ceases. Temps in the upper 20s; colder to the east.

 By Monday morning, the upper-air flow will begin to shift back to the northwest, calming the east winds and warming up the region for a day, Tue. Unfortunately, it is likely to remain DRY until the weekend of Mar 7,8. Even then, it will not get super wet. Warm front from the SW will usher in some showers.

 For the week of Mar 9-13, expect a wet period, with - hopefully - lowering freezing levels and a decent shot of mountain snow.

 For all concerned about the potential winter slap next week and the impact on agriculture, the near miss will be gladly accepted. Still, we will miss the much needed snow in the mountains.

 -Rufus

Saturday

RAIN. A strong upper-level 'steering wind' continues to drive relatively warm, moisture laden air right into the PNW. Multiple inches of rain have already fallen across a large swath of the region. Flooding has been minimal because of the breaks in the steady rainfall. The heaviest rain remain on track to arrive between Friday and Monday afternoon. Anywhere from an additional 2-4 inches possible for western valley locations and upwards of 7-8 inches of rain in coastal mountains & western slopes of the Cascades is likely.

WIND. A few more 'waves' of surface systems will brush onshore over the weekend, two of which will generate strong wind fields as they move onshore: the first late Saturday, the second late Sunday, early Monday. The Sunday storm is progged to be one of the strongest of the fall/winter season for western Oregon. Potential for a 16-20 mb pressure difference between Eureka & Astoria early Monday morning would generate a significant wind event, even for inland valley locations. PLEASE be prepared for possible power outages. Soils will be like pudding; firs may fall.

DRY. After the Sun/Mon storm spins inland, conditions will rapidly dry out, with periods of warm sunshine and possible FOG (esp Wed morning). The dry, high pressure ridge pattern is likely to hold on through Valentine's Day weekend.

This week

Tree fruits are being pruned.
Berries are being pruned.
Peaches - buds have broken.
Blueberry - apical tips are leafing out.
Forsythia - already bloomed.
Garlic - up 8 inches.
Crocus - up six inches.
Looks like we are about a month ahead of normal.

Early spring so far

We are heading toward spring and we are about months
 ahead of normal.  Blueberries have broken bud already. 
Peaches have broken bud and if you haven't sprayed for
peach leaf curl - do so immediately.

Forsythia have bloomed, crocus are up 3-6 inches. 
Garlic  is up 8 inches.

Get pruning done.

Control garden weeds.

I heard one fellow was going to plant peas...may be a bit
early so don't be fool by the January good weather that we
have most years.  February and March can be pretty harsh.

Crop conditions

Crops - outside crops done for the year.
Most outside crops - even the cole crops were
damaged by the cold weather.
Some county flooding in areas close to the rivers and creeks.
Timing - forsythia bushes blooming, very early.
Soil this week in very good condition.

Weather in 2015

The ground did freeze a little but it thawed already.  Actually,
the soil is perfect for tilling.  I had to dig a hole and the soil didn't
stick to the shovel and turned very nicely.  But still a bit too early.


Temps will be warmer, highs of 45 and lows of 32, more typical
winter weather but realized  the cold was in December and we still
have at least three more winter months...so far, very
similar as to last year.  My records show that it was colder
December.


Rain coming so spray fruit trees their clean up copper sprays ASAP
 and if you have peaches/nectarines, they needed a copper spray
 Dec.15, Jan. 15 and Feb. 15.