Mt. Rainier's hat

When the mountain puts on his hat, it's usually the sign of approaching rain.  When this happens, the conditions are right for cloud formation.  As air flows, the mountain creates just enough lift that it cools the air few degrees and it condenses into a cloud.  When the air sinks down the side of the mountain, it warms and dries out and goes back to being invisible.  There's a 70 percent chance of rain in Seattle when Mt. Rainier gets out his umbrella.

I see it's scorching hot across the country, but we're always the weather contrarians up here. Our weather has turned unseasonably stormy and chilly.  Amanda, Tom and the kids are backpacking! with another family this week along the coast in Olympic National Park.  What an adventure with four kids on the trail. After the backpacking, they plan to spend a few nights in relative luxury in their trailer at the Kalaoch Beach campground.  They've been out of cell phone service since Saturday, but I hope to hear from her later today.