Weather, Climate, and Other Science Topics
In my last blog post on 8/30, I warned of a “late-season heatwave with offshore flow” that would “dramatically increase fire danger for the Pacific Northwest.” But when I wrote that, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we’d see a wind/firestorm the intensity of the one witnessed earlier this month. I work […]
A lot has happened in the weather department since I wrote my last blog two weeks ago. Washington, Oregon, and California all declared a State of Emergency due to widespread wildfires, and the entire Western US saw one of the hottest August heat waves on record. This heat wave gave California its worst energy crisis […]
I’m writing from the front porch of an old fishing cabin in Sekiu, a small fishing village along the Strait of Juan de Fuca approximately 15 miles ESE of Cape Flattery. I’m being treated to an incredible – and unexpected – lightning show from some strong thunderstorms to our north over the Strait and Southern […]
Hi all, I’m back after a hiatus! We really haven’t had much to talk about and I’ve been busy spending lots of time with my family, so blogging and weather updates have fallen by the wayside. However, we’re expected to see what could be the strongest heat wave of 2020 this weekend, and such blistering […]
Two Sundays ago, I proudly proclaimed that Juneuary would end on the 17th. But taking a look at the webcam from Timberline Lodge this morning, that appears to have been a premature call! Just another example of why you can’t give much weight to any forecasts more than 2 weeks in advance. And don’t even […]
What a beautiful sunset tonight! I’m currently on Whidbey Island just north of Seattle, but Portland saw a spectacular sunset as well. When the sun is low on the horizon like it is at sunrise or sunset, sunlight has to pass through more atmosphere before it reaches our eyes. The oxygen molecules in the […]
We saw a little-known, but fascinating meteorological feature off the coast of Vancouver Island today… a little swirl in the clouds created due to differences in the strength of northwesterly winds along the coast of Vancouver Island. Speed shear in NW flow parallel to Vancouver Island spun up a nice eddy off the Vancouver Island […]
Sometimes you have to take a step back and chuckle at the situation we find ourselves in. The pandemic and social unrest are no laughing matter, of course. But when you hear that “Murder Hornets” have invaded the Pacific Northwest or learn that Mr. Peanut died in a tragic Nutmobile accident (no I’m not making […]
I ran through some quick climate stats for Portland Int’l Airport, and since Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend (5/23), only 2 of 10 weekends (this includes Memorial Day) have had temperatures at or above-average, while 15 of 20 weekdays have seen at or above-average temperatures. And unfortunately for weekend adventurers, this week will bring more […]
The Portland NWS issued a “Special Weather Statement” at 4pm warning of the potential for “cold core funnel clouds” this afternoon. But what is a “cold core funnel cloud,” you might ask?? Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Portland OR 400 PM PDT Tue Jun 16 2020 ORZ006>008-170100- Greater Portland Metro Area-Central Willamette Valley- South […]
