Record warm weather expected

Lauren Walsh, The Olympian

OLYMPIA -- Warm, dry weather is expected to break heat records in the next few days, and the trend could continue into the next month.

According to the National Weather Service, the daytime temperature is expected to peak on Wednesday and break the standing record of the day by two degrees.

The record for March 7 was set in 1965 with a high of 63 degrees. It is expected to reach 65 degrees in Olympia on Wednesday.

The region's drought is expected to continue through this month. In normal years, the region receives about 15 inches of rain from the beginning of the year through today. This year, the region has received about 7 inches.

Drought combined with warm weather is beginning to affect area electric utilities. Puget Sound Energy had to close two hydroelectric dams last week because record low rainfall did not produce enough water in the reservoirs to run the turbines.

The dams, located on the Baker River in Whatcom and Skagit counties, did not produce enough power to affect PSE customers, said Dorothy Bracken, a spokeswoman for PSE.

However, low water levels could affect customer rates if the drought continues, Bracken said. If hydroelectric dams can't produce electricity, utilities will be forced to find replacement power elsewhere.

Utilities would then have to purchase power on the wholesale market, which has recently seen skyrocketing prices.

South Sound residents, however, don't seem to mind that today's sun could cause tomorrow's power shortage.

"We could use some rain and snow but, coming from the East Coast, where I'm used to sun during the winter months, this is pretty refreshing," said Olympia resident Thomas Henry.

Raenae Lanning agreed. She spent part of Monday watching her grandchildren enjoy the good weather. A lifelong resident of Shelton, she scoffed at predictions of drought and power shortages.

"I've seen God bring in the rain and the sun, and he knows when to bring in each one," Lanning said.

On the web:

Forecasts: Olympia, Washington.

National Weather Service.

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