An unusually heavy rainfall event for August is going to strike our region during the next two days, and its coming from the west and northwest--not the usual southwesterly direction of our big winter rains. Take a look at the latest satellite image above--see those clouds offshore?--they are the leading edge of the first a several, unusually strong,...
A Change in the Sky
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Yesterday from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Visibility CameraToday from Dale Ireland's web camNotice that the sky has a very different look the past two days? Yes, there are clouds...but the clouds have a very different look...with the sky filled with cotton-ball, cumulus type clouds (see above two images). Some of the cumulus have grown into...
Major Change
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For the last few days the weather over the Northwest has been warm and sunny...nearly perfect for outdoor activities. The only negative of the warm, dry weather is fire..and if you look at this evening's visible satellite image you can see the smoke from two large fires over northern Oregon. Plus lots of low clouds along the coast, with a sliver...
Warm Water in the Cool Northwest
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Want to swim in relatively warm water while staying in the Northwest? Hit the surf while avoiding that expensive trip to Hawaii?Its possible. Just like our weather features, local water temperatures also have some interesting variations.For example, check out the average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for the last three days for our area:The warmest...
Sunday AM
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A brief note---here is the visible sat picture and the latest radar....as predicted by the models a convergence zone has set up, plus clouds/precipitation on the western mountain slopes. SUN is available even on the west side...for example, south of Tacoma there is bright sun right now. Or head east of the crest...get past Easton on I90 and you are...
It's BACK!
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Rain that is...During most years there is a weather event during the third week of August that is the harbinger of the fall, when it becomes clear that the summer dry spell is over and cooler temperatures are coming.Yes, it can still be nice, and often Septembers have spectacular periods around here, but it is not the same.I am sitting in my home...
The Big Question
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I have repeatedly gotten asked one question--including tonight--so let me answer it for all.Why is the warmest period of the year in early August, when the sun is strongest on June 21st? How could that be?Or a similar question: Why are the highest daily temperatures in summer around 5 PM when the sun is strongest at 1 PM (PDT)?The temperatures should...
It's Coming!
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The Onshore Push Wind Chime Symphony at 10:30 PMThere are few greater summer pleasures than an onshore push of marine air after a heat wave.It often starts between 8 and 10 PM. The wind chimes start ringing. Leaves rustle. A comfortable coolness envelopes us. And it is about to happen.The satellite picture at 6:30 PM shows low clouds are moving...
Rainier Microclimates and Our Cooler Future
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Chinook Pass (5400 ft) 72FSunrise 70FOn Saturday my family was looking to get away from the certain heat over the lowlands and a hike in the foothills would have been on the warm side--so I said lets head to Sunrise on Mt. Rainie. (elevation around 6400 ft). My expectation--at least 20 F cooler there and perfect for a pleasant hike (temperature typically...
Heat Warning
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It is going to be very hot today...in fact, several degrees warmer than some of the forecasts. Many locations in western Washington will get into the mid-90s.A number of stations...such as Sea Tac...are running ten degrees above yesterday (Sea Tac got to 86 yesterday). The profiler at San Point (Seattle) shows easterly flow aloft and temperatures...
The Unimaginable: No Clouds--But Smoke is Back!
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UPDATE SAT MORNING: HOT!!Going to be warm today! Lots of places will be in the lower to mid 90s! Clouds have made their way up the Oregon coast...so go there for cool.Click on picture for closer viewAbove is a NASA MODIS image from this afternoon...something has changed! No low clouds on the coast! The unimaginable has happened. And heat and...
Finally...Extended Sun and Warmth
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There have been a lot of complaints about the weather lately.Sure, there has been practically no sun along the coast. Yes, Seattle has had a record-breaking stretch of morning clouds. Sure, most days have not come close to the normal afternoon highs.But things are going to change, so stock up on ice cream, get some ice ready, and put away those sweaters....
Diablo Winds in the North Cascades and the Upcoming Heat Wave!
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An green-blue mountain lake with towering mountains, snowfields and glaciers, as well as a fascinating meteorology--the is what I found during a pleasant stay this weekend at the North Cascade Institute, where I was one of the instructors for their Naturalist Weekend Retreat. The location of this beautiful facility is on Diablo Lake (see maps above...
