Bill Biddle wrote Weatherwatch for the Methow Valley News for nearly 20 years before his death in June 2012. His love of the valley, nature and poetry converged in his monthly columns, which are as entertaining as they are revealing in local weather patterns. Read a moving tribute to Bill Biddle by his former editor […]
Weatherwatch
The final Weatherwatch: June 2012
Editor’s note: Bill Biddle has been writing Weatherwatch for the Methow Valley News for nearly 20 years. He died June 7, 2012, a few days after submitting this column. According to his son Peter, Bill said that his fascination with weather began when he was looking out the window in Latin class watching the clouds […]
Weatherwatch: October 2010
OCTOBER By Bill Biddle Oktoberfest, ja? Oktoberfest, ja! Yes, the beginning of October will be one to raise our steins to in an exultant exclamation that this beautiful valley exists. Last month Weatherwatch exulted in the Indian summer days that lay ahead, and now, lo and behold, the first of at least two more Indian […]
Weatherwatch: September 2010
SEPTEMBER By Bill Biddle Autumn came early to the Methow as forecast in the August Weatherwatch. The “noticeable cool down during the fourth and final week” occurred with temperatures in the mid 30s on the last Friday in August. September will get colder faster than normal. Near the equinox days on the 21st, 22nd and […]
Weatherwatch: July 2010
JULY By Bill Biddle Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling, Everything’s going my way! Summertime, dear, and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’, and the cotton is high. Yes, summer is here in the Methow Valley – finally! The rivers and creeks […]
Weatherwatch: June 2010
JUNE By Bill Biddle “In my 43 years here I’ve never seen a spring like this.” So spoke Ken Westman of Winthrop to this Weatherwatch advocate at the Imagine the Methow banquet this past Saturday night at the Barn. Your advocate heartily agreed. The rain gauge at the Wolf Creek station measured 2.85 inches just […]
Weatherwatch: May 2010
MAY By Bill Biddle Red rock rattlesnake hills White slopes of Roundtop, Capwright, Pipestone Canyon. These are the opening lines of “Rattlesnake Hills” by Jim Doran. The entire poem (a good one!) appeared in the April 21 issue of this paper in the section entitled “Poets’ Corner.” Weatherwatch warmly encourages readers to read […]
Weatherwatch: April 2010
APRIL By Bill Biddle “The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day When the sun is out and the wind is still, You’re one month on in the middle of May. But if you so much as dare to speak, A cloud comes over […]
Weatherwatch: February 2010
FEBRUARY By Bill Biddle From the front page of this newspaper last week comes this comment under the Almanac byline: “After a bit of sunshine, look for more marginal wintry precipitation: mixed rain/snow down low, snow up high. Is this the new Methow climate?” Yes. To explain: some years ago Weatherwatch took the stand that […]
Weatherwatch: December 2009
DECEMBER By Bill Biddle “A faux Indian Summer will usher in December” – so says the Methow Valley Winter insert available everywhere in the valley. Right on! These first few days of December will have a faux feel to them with temperatures in the high 30s and no snow on the valley floor. Real Indian […]
