Get ready for winter!
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Columbia County. “Cold off shore flows, an air mass in place and moisture from the pacific, all three rarely come together often and that is what makes the snow chance here,” he said. Under the La Niña, Rockey said winter temperatures will range from the mid 40s to low 50s during the day and from the 20s to 30s overnight. NOAA’s forecast says below-normal temperatures are favored in southern Alaska and from the northern Pacific Northwest into the Northern Plains, with equal chances for below, near, or above-average temperatures in the remaining regions. More modest probabilities for warmer temperatures are forecast in the southern parts of the west coast, and from the MidAtlantic into the Northeast. Above-average temperatures are also favored for Hawaii and western and northern Alaska.
NOAA’s latest winter forecast predicts cooler and wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest. This is a scene from winter 2017 in downtown Clatskanie. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Grab your umbrella and warm coat, it likely will be cooler and wetter than normal this winter in the Pacific Northwest, according to the latest winter weather forecast
from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA forecast favors warmer, drier conditions across the southern tier of the U.S. and cooler, wetter conditions in the North, due in part to an ongoing La Niña. National Weather meteo-
rologist Clinton Rockey in Portland said the La Niña effect shifts the storm track from the southern hemisphere around Africa to the Pacific Northwest. ‘Juicer’ storms “Storms are more juicer
and the jet stream is over us more often with a more persistent storm track,” he said. “That means we would see more snowpack in the mountains.” Rockey said La Niña can also produce three elements that could bring snow to lower elevations including
See WINTER Page A3
Clatskanie Public Library reopens JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The Clatskanie Public Library District has reopened its facility at 11 Lillich Street and is accepting visitors by appointment only under state pandemic guidelines. The facility closed March 11 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across Oregon. Interim library director Becky White said since the appointment-only process began on Monday, Oct. 19, library staff began booking about two to three appointments daily.
Everyone seems happy just to have books in their hands. ~ Becky White, Library Interim Director “The biggest challenge is getting people to remember their appointments,” White said. “Many patrons are still opting to use curbside services and we plan to make that available from now on.” White said appointments for the various library services are staggered to no more than 10 people at one time, including staff, inside the building. “So far, everyone seems very willing to cooperate with our requirements for entry, which include time limits, group size limits, children under 12 accompanied by adult, masks for everyone 5 and up,” she said. “Everyone seems happy just to have
books in their hands.” White said library staff has moved the public computer appointments inside the building instead of on a laptop in the enclosed foyer and that patron reactions to the modifications to the library setting, which include sneeze guards, no seating, traffic control barriers and hand sanitizing stations throughout the library, range from overwhelmed to overjoyed. “It is not the library they are used to, but it is still the library they love,” she said. “Once a new permanent library director is selected by the Clatskanie Public Library District Board of Directors and the facility is fully staffed, we look forward to allowing more spontaneous visits. But for now, the appointment system is going well and we’re enjoying many happy reunions.” For more information about appointments and library services, contact 503728-3732.
Photo courtesy of Becky White
Clatskanie Public Library District visitor Abby Sullivan was the first one through the door when appointments became available on Monday, Oct. 19 at the facility.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
There are a number of ballot drop off boxes are located in communities around Columbia County.
Voter turnout early, high JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Voter turnout for the Nov. 3 general election is at a higher level compared to the election of 2016, according to Columbia County Election Supervisor Don Clack. “Turnout as of Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, is 6,298 ballots, or 15.64%,” he said. “The same day in 2016 (end of day) turn out was 3,370 ballots or 9.84%.” As to why ballots are coming in earlier and at a higher rate, Clack said there is high public interest. “This election has whipped up serious hype and people are being cautious in ensuring their vote is heard,” he said. In overseeing the election process, Clack said there would be several indicators of a safe and secure election. “They could include, among others, registration integrity, reliable ballot delivery and return, accurate results, timely results, voter engagement, confidence and trust in the system,” he said. Voters are encouraged to use area drop off boxes to ensure their ballot arrives by election night, 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Columbia County voters can drop off ballots up to 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at these drop sites: Clatskanie Library, 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie; Rainier City Hall, 106 B St. West, Rainier; Vernonia Public Library, 701 Weed Ave., Vernonia; Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., St. Helens; and at the Scappoose City Hall, 33568 E. Columbia Ave., Scappoose. Follow election coverage at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.