Weather with Cliff Mass: Recent Episodes
Cliff Mass
Atmospheric scientist Cliff Mass provides a weekly weather forecast for the Pacific Northwest, details current and future weather topics, and discusses related topics. Podcast is released every Friday at 9am.
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The radar shows offshore rain, but it is not raining. This podcast explains why. I also give the forecast, with cooling and some showers possible. And I talk about strong winds on the eastern slopes of the Cascades..
My podcast will discuss the origins of our current cool/showery weather and tell you why such cool weather in the west produces strong winds over the eastern slopes of the Cascades.
It's a phrase that puts a shiver down the spine of all Northwesterners: June Gloom. And it's coming. But first we have a delightful Friday and a warm (but not too warm) Saturday. In this podcast, I describe the forecast and why we get June gloom every year.
My podcast will review the heavy rain event predicted for Sunday through Tuesday and then turn to a warm stretch expected from the middle to end of next week. But then is a surprise: the potential for thunderstorms next weekend in eastern Washington and Oregon, the Cascades, and maybe a few boomers drifting into western Wasington.
In this podcast I talk about the weather forecast for this weekend and beyond, and then discuss the validity of predictions of increased chances of western Washington wildfires.
In this podcast, provide the weekend and weekly forecast and describe the cool/soggy pattern we are in. And in the second segment, I describe the limits on weather prediction technology: how far into the future can we forecast and why it has gotten so much better.
I will provide the latest weekend forecast and tell you about the major aurora that should be visible tonight
Several of you have asked me about my viewpoint on global warming and climate change. This podcast will outline my thoughts on this important subject and give you a bit of history and perspective.
This week the weather will be near normal and relatively dry, but that changes radically over the weekend, as a strong Pacific low center moves in and sticks around in our area. I will briefly describe this situation before turning to a detailed analysis of the major smoke event that hit the East Coast, including an explanation of why global warming was only a minor player.
This podcast answers the question: where can you get the best weather forecast? Your smartphone?, from the National Weather Service website?, from your local TV weathercasters? or what? The answer may surprise you. And I also talk about the cool weak ahead.
This podcast answers an interesting question: why is freezing at 32°F? Why not 50 or 0? And I talk about a return of moisture to the Northwest, with heavy snow expected in the mountains.
This podcast talks about the recent termination of a 3-year La Nina and the near certainty of El Nino conditions ahead. The weather implications of the change are discussed as well.
Several blog readers have asked whether global warming is increasing West Coast cold waves. The answer is no, and in this podcast I explain why. Plus, I talk about an encouraging forecast for more normal conditions in our region.
This podcast answers the question: how long are weather predictions skillful? The answer may surprise you....
This podcast tells the story of a cold, windy, snowy week ahead. And I provide the basics on the mountain gaps of the region and their influence on our weather.
We are in the tail end of the lowland snow season west of the Cascade crest. But tomorrow and Tuesday some lowlands locations will see some snowflakes. This podcast does a deep dive into the event, explaining the complex meteorology that will occur over the next few days.
A series of weather systems will come through this week. I will provide the details. Major enhancements in mountain snowpack are expected. And there is the potential for much colder weather in about a week. In the second half of the podcast I describe the two types of rain we get in our region and tell you why.
Several folks have asked my why high pressure produces low clouds in our region....this podcast explains why. Plus, a chilly, but sunny forecast.
In the second part of the podcast, I give you a primer on atmospheric pressure, with particular attention to the impact on water levels and the potential for King Tides. I also provide the forecast: not much action this week, but the potential for FAR colder air over the weekend. Yes, even that four-letter word, snow, for some locations.
After a few more days of showers, a big ridge will develop over the eastern Pacific, bring dry conditions and sun to the entire West Coast. After providing the forecast, I take on the claims of Pacific weather data voids and describe the ability of meteorologists to monitor the weather everywhere in three dimensions.
This week I will take on the topic of atmospheric rivers-- the weather features that are now inundating California. And I provide the latest forecast for the next week.....not very exciting for the Northwest but threatening for California.
With not much weather action for the next five days in Washington and Oregon, I skip the forecast today and talk about the mildest and coldest places in the Northwest during winter. Have a good new year!
This podcast describes the nature of Northwest freezing rain events and describes the major shift to warm/wet weather this week.
This podcast will talk about cold and very high pressure moving south out of Canada. Will record high pressure be observed in our region? And a detailed forecast for the cold and snow of the upcoming week.
Clouds way millions of pounds but stay in the sky. I explain why. And I provide an interesting forecast for a wet start to the weekend, followed by very dry conditions.
Why is the air so dry inside these days? I will explain why. And I will give an updated forecast regarding the potential for snow over our region.
This podcast starts with the forecast for the next week, with a very favorable forecast for Thanksgiving Day. I then turn to talk about the winter weather of the Columbia Basin, describing the "cold pool" that develops in its lower elevations, bringing low clouds and icy conditions.
La Nina conditions, with high pressure along the coast, will bring dry conditions to the Northwest for 7-9 days.
I start with the forecast, with everything from heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, and then describe the challenges of predicting snow in our region.
My podcast talks about some active weather ahead, with cooler than normal temperatures this week...and the potential for a major snow-producer in the mountains starting next Sunday! Even the lowlands might see some flakes!
Will global warming increase the chances of westside wildfires in the Northwest? Was climate change behind the recent fires and smoke west of the Cascade crest? I provide the answer in this podcast.
When will the autumn rain return to the Northwest? I will tell you in this podcast. And I will take on the related issue: how far in time can meteorologists predict the weather? How has that changed over the past decades?
Amazingly, the latest forecast models indicate no rain for the next 10 days. I will tell you the story about that. And in the second half of the podcast, will tell you why we are in the middle of fog season and why smoke can enhance fog formation.
Hurricane Ian is in the news and this podcast describes how hurricane forecast skill has changed over the year and why. And I also provide an amazingly warm, dry forecast for the new week.
How could a small, dying fire in the Cascades result in some of the worst air pollution in recent Seattle history. I will explain how. And also provide you with a very promising forecast for the weekend.
My podcast will start with a very favorable weather forecast for our region--perfect temperatures, little smoke, and no rain. The bulk of the podcast will discuss the history of wildfires over the region, noting that summer smoke is our normal condition.
This podcast takes on Northwest smoke. I explain how it is highly three-dimensional and why smoke can be visible aloft but never make it to the surface. I also give you the latest forecast, with warm/smoky conditions on Saturday followed by substantial improvement and cooling on Sunday.
The signs are everything that meteorological fall is here in the Northwest and in the second segment I will tell you about them. In the forecast segment, I will talk about the upcoming cooldown, the end of heatwaves for the year, and describe the smoke plume moving into eastern Washington.
Tired of warm temperatures? This weekend will be the one for you with highs in the 70s in the west and 80s east of the Cascade crest. But one last heat event is ahead. In this podcast, I will not only provide the forecast, but tell you about local microclimates and what causes them.
We have experienced unusual humidity during the past week. Why? I will describe what controls the "stickiness" of the air in our region. But before I do that I will review the forecast, which is quite favorable for this weekend, followed by another warm spell on Wednesday and Thursday.
This has been a below-normal wildfire season over the western U.S., but we should not get complacent! Historically, the most dangerous wildifre period is about to start, ironically because of cooling temperatures. I will explain the meteorology of the prime, late-summer wildfire period. And I will start the podcast with a very pleasant summer forecast for the west, but one with toasty temperatures mid-week in the east.
Weather forecast models are great, but there are potent weather signs in the sky that provide advanced notice of weather changes. I will talk about a few local weather signs here in the Northwest. And I also discuss the latest forecast, with warming ahead followed by a cooling crash on Wednesday. The Northwest weather roller coaster continues!
This podcast explains an apparent contradiction: the region is slowly warming yet extreme heat waves are not increasing over time. It is an interesting story not covered in the media. And I also provide the latest forecast, with the heat wave continuing over the weekend and ending abruptly with a major cool down on Monday.
A storm on the Sun's surface should result in a major aurora event tonight that could well be visible in the Northwest. My podcast provides the details. And I also talk about a major warm up this week, that should bring temperatures in the low-90s in the west and over 100F in the Columbia Basin.
We are just about to enter the climatologically driest time of the year in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, we are one of the driest locations in the country in late July. But why? The reasons are discussed in my podcast. And I will also review the weekend forecast, which will be a bit cooler and cloudier than normal. The cause? That pesky low pressure near our coast.
People were complaining about humidity this week. I tell you why our humidity is generally low in the Northwest and why it got sticky this week. I also give the forecast for the upcoming week, which includes a mini-heat wave and no rain.
This weekend will be one of extremes...from warm to rain...and I provide a detailed forecast. Some locations will get thunderstorms. In my second segment, I explain why thunderstorms are infrequent in our region and the secret sauce needed to bring boomers to our region.
This podcast describes the warm weather ahead and tell you about the inner workings of Northwest heatwaves.
Yellowstone Park and its vicinity experienced record-breaking flooding last week and this podcast will tell you why it happened. And I also provide the weekend forecast and a look into next week. We will start with showers and then "enjoy" a bad case of June gloom.
Why do planes sometimes bounce around in the air? What are the causes of the turbulence you experience while flying? In this podcast, I will explain the several causes of these sometimes unpleasant motions.
It is clear to anyone living here for long that thunderstorms and convective showers prefer the high terrain of our region. Why? I will answer the question in this podcast. And I will give you the soggy forecast, with a month's worth of rain, falling during one week!
This weekend is going to be a mixed bag weatherwise, with both rain and sun. I will tell you when and where you can escape the murk. How ofter is Memorial Day weekend sunny and warm in western Washington? What is the long-term trend in the weekend's weather? All will be revealed in the second part of my podcast!
This podcast starts with the forecast, which promises sunny, warm weather over the lowlands of both sides of the Cascades. Showers in the mountains, though. And then I take on the hype and exaggeration regarding eastern Washington drought, describing the favorable conditions for water supplies in that region.
There are variations in temperatures near the surface and just underground that are both interesting and valuable to know about....in fact, a little knowledge can save your life. I will explain in my podcast. And then there is the forecast, which projects a continuation of our dismal spring weather. Against my will, I give you the details.
It is looking likely that an unusual triple-dip La Nina is in store: three La Nina years in row. I will explain about this phenomenon and discuss the implications. I will also talk about the weekend forecast and the outlook for the next week. Spoiler: you won't need your sunglasses.
Knowing the difference between surface air temperature, found on your smartphone or reported on TV, and the temperatures of the ground can save your life. I will explain in the podcast. I also supply the weekend forecast, with lots of rain, but with one day that will be dry and relatively warm.
I am often asked why the Northwest has so little lightning.....so I thought I would answer the question in this podcast. And, of course, I provide the latest forecast...which is quite favorable for this weekend...so get ready for outdoor fun.
I have been asked many times about my view on climate change, so I thought it might be useful to summarize my thoughts in this podcast. And I also discuss the latest forecast, with showery, cooler than normal weather continuing.
This podcast will give you an introduction to spring weather over the Northwest. And I will discuss the amazing weather roller coaster we are on, with 70s on Thursday, but heavy snow in the mountains and even some lowland snowflakes Sunday morning. Plus, a powerful storm on Sunday night!
Weather forecast skill has gotten much better during the past thirty years and in this podcast, I will tell you why this has happened and roughly how far into the future you can have confidence in the predictions. Plus, the weekend forecast!
I am often asked: are the weather folks on TV real meteorologists? How good are their forecasts? My podcast will answer such questions and more. And I will provide the forecast for a soggy weekend ahead, with a front moving through Saturday morning and an atmospheric river pushing into the region late Sunday and Monday.
A strong low-pressure center will cross the northern Oregon coast on Sunday morning, with powerful winds to the south. But it will be hardly windy in nearby Washington State. Why? I will explain in this podcast and talk about the huge differences in winds for different sections of Pacific cyclones.
And then there is precipitation. Monday will bring an atmospheric river, with heavy rain and snow in our mountains. Details in the podcast.
There are so many sources of weather predictions today. Who has the most skill? Why do they have the most skill? What is the best weather app for your smartphone? All will be revealed in this podcast. And I will also provide a very sunny weather forecast for this weekend... so be prepared to enjoy some outdoor activity.
During the past weeks, the Northwest has been locked in a cold, dry pattern--that will change on Saturday as warm/wet weather returns. I will describe this change in the podcast and will discuss an interesting subtlety of our cold weather: the often large air temperatures variations throughout the Puget Sound region. Why do they occur? You find out in this podcast.
This podcast will provide a detailed discussion of the upcoming cold and snow event over the Northwest. The mountains will be hit hard with as much as 1-2 feet and some of you in western Washington may see snowflakes if you are located in just the right place.....northern Seattle and Snohomish County in the Puget Sound convergence zone.
This week, a highly skilled meteorological jury finished their deliberations: Washington State has a new ALL-TIME maximum temperature record of 120F observed at Hanford on June 29th, 2021. This podcast will describe how they made the determination and why that location was favored for such extreme warmth. And I will provide the forecast for the next week, with a very favorable prediction for Saturday, and rain returning on Monday.
The big weather story today is the freezing rain that is hitting the eastern U.S. How and why does freezing rain occur? Where the are freezing rain "hotspots" of the Pacific Northwest? All will be revealed in my podcast. And I will provide the forecast, which is particularly dry this time of the year.
Since ancient times, mankind has developed and applied weather proverbs and sayings, from Red Sky at Night, to Clear Moon Frost Soon. In my podcast I will describe a few of these ancient weather proverbs and analyze them with modern meteorological knowledge. Their skill may surprise you! And I will also give the forecast for the weekend and next week, which includes the return of precipitation on Sunday.
This weekend will be dominated by high pressure over the Northwest. But such high pressure can produce both cool/foggy conditions and brilliant sum and warmth. This podcast tells you why and provides the high-pressure forecast for the weekend and beyond.
The forecast for this weekend should be a relief to everyone--mostly dry for most of Washington and Oregon. In fact, a trend to drier conditions is quite typical for the last half of January, and this podcast will tell you why. Some super dry conditions are expected for the end of next week....so get prepared for outdoor fun.
During the past week we have been hit by rain, snow, and freezing rain. Strong warm fronts and cold fronts. Flooding and record-breaking snow.
I will talk about our recent weather and provide the weekend forecast. And I will also tell you how the atmospheric temperature structure controls the type of precipitation we receive at the surface.
This podcast describes the warming situation this weekend and the potential for snow from Monday morning to Tuesday. And I examine the causes of the terrible wildfire disaster in Colorado
We are at the time that La Nina starts influencing the weather of our region....and this podcast provides the details. Interestingly, La Nina may well have influenced the Kentucky tornado outbreak of last week as well.
But before I discuss La Nina, I review the forecast, including LOTS of snow in the mountains, and the potential for lowland snow over Northwest Washington.
I am often asked: How can we predict the climate in fifty to 100 years when we can’t provide skillful weather forecasts more than a week or two into the future? This podcast will tell you why. And I will also tell you about the amazing amounts of snow that will fall in the Northwest mountains during the next week. Get ready for winter fun!
A major weather change will occur over the next few days, with cooling temperatures, large snowfalls in the mountains, and even some snow reaching the western lowlands. I will tell you what is in store. And in the second segment, I will describe the meteorological trick that allows the nearly improbable to happen: lowland snow in western Washington.
My podcast today talks about the biggest meteorological threat faced by Northwest residents....roadway icing. Sometimes called "black ice." And I start with the latest forecast, which projects a dry weekend ahead, but more rain during Thanksgiving week and turkey day.
The source of nearly all billion-dollar disasters in the Northwest is flooding. This podcast will provide you with the essential story about Northwest flooding, with origins from atmospheric rivers to melting snow. And a look forward to the impacts of global warming The podcast also provides the latest weekend forecast, which includes everything from heavy rain from atmospheric rivers to a powerful front on Monday.
This podcast begins with the forecast, which includes lots of precipitation, increasing snow in the mountains, and a potential windstorm on Tuesday. In the second segment, I talk about the rapidly intensifying La Nina in the tropical Pacific and the potential (and snowy) implications for the upcoming winter.
During the past weeks, two major atmospheric rivers have hit the West Coast with heavy rainfall. What are atmospheric rivers and WHY do they form? This podcast will provide the answer. And I will start the podcast with the weekend and next week forecasting, including a highly favorable forecast for Halloween.
The Pacific Northwest can experience great storms, as significant as category 3 hurricanes, and this blog will tell you about them. And I will discuss the difficult forecast for this weekend when the strongest storm in Northwest history will develop off our coast. But there is a problem: we are not sure where it will go! I will describe the dilemma in this podcast.
This week brought the anniversary of the great 1962 Columbus Day Storm, the most severe weather event in Northwest history. I will talk about the fascinating origins of the storm and its extraordinary impacts. And I will provide the forecast, with wet, stormy conditions ahead for Sunday morning
Moisture matters, both due to comfort and the effects on the atmosphere. In the media, you hear about relative humidity and dew point temperature. What are they? Which a more useful? I will reveal all in the Podcast. And I will start with the forecast, which includes bring sun, rain, and even snow in the mountains.
The Pacific Northwest has some of the most extreme rainshadows in the world--I will tell their story in the podcast. Plus, I will talk about the "whale cloud" that is offshore right now, and provide you with the weekend forecast.
Can you tell the weather ahead by observing our local mountains? You bet. One potent sign of inclement weather is the development of cloud "caps" over the local mountains. In my podcast, I will explain how this works. And I will give you the upcoming weather forecast, featuring a few warm days following by a very wet week.
The Northwest has some of the driest summers in the nation. Why? You will learn the answer in this podcast.
And then there is the major precipitation event today and this weekend.....I will give you the details, telling you how much, and explain why you may hear some thunder before long.
We are about to experience a real change in our weather, including significant rain and much cooler temperatures. I will give you the latest forecast. And in the second segment, I will explain the details of the jet stream, which is rapidly revving up now. You will learn why it exists, its profound effects on weather, and how it impacted World War II.
The southeast U.S. and the East Coast can experience tropical storms and hurricanes.....but not here in the Pacific Northwest. Why? This podcast explains. I also provide the latest weekend forecast, which includes both sun and clouds....with a chance of rain tomorrow night.
Virtually all major wildfires west of the Cascade crest occur from mid-August to mid-September. But why? I will explain in this podcast. And I will tell you about some surprising findings regarding the effects of global warming on westside fires in our region. In addition, I will give you the latest forecast, which includes a beautiful weekend, but a cooling trend on Monday and Tuesday.
La Nina is coming and in this podcast, I will you all about it, including its implications for our summer weather. And I will also describe the forecast, with near-normal temperature for the next few days.
This podcast provides my take on the new IPCC climate report and the big changes in the weather we will experience during the next week. The new climate report is actually quite optimistic about future climate change and far less apocalyptic than many media reports. The smoky weather of today will clear up by Monday, with normal temperatures returning. I also talk about the wild local heatwave yesterday in Bellingham.
This podcast starts with a dramatically changing forecast, where we go from cool/wet conditions to another heatwave. In the second, half I examine claims about a dominant global warming origin of the June heatwave. It simply isn't true and I tell you why.
Be ready for weather whiplash. In western Washington over the next week, we will go from a minor heatwave to much cooler conditions and some light rain. East of the Cascades, temperatures over 100F today will transition to a regime of scattered thunderstorms associated with a plume of moisture from the southwest. In the second segment, I will tell you about the basics of regional thunderstorms and why we are so thunderstorm deficient in our region.
How does wildfire smoke move in the atmosphere? Why does smoke sometimes travel thousands of miles and what controls whether wildfire smoke reaches the surface? I will talk about all of these things and more in my podcast. Plus, the forecast, which can only be described as meteorological perfection.
We are now entering the driest period of the year climatologically. Amazingly dry. And in my podcast, I tell you why! I also review the forecast for the next week, a period that should be relatively cool, with morning low clouds west of the Cascade crest, and clean air for Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland.
This is sea breeze season in the Pacific Northwest and my podcast will tell the story. In fact, we have some of the strongest sea breezes in the country and they come in a wide variety of sizes and strengths. My podcast also provides the forecast, including typical weather over the weekend and the potential for a cool/moist period next weekend.
There has been much speculation that the severe heatwave of the past week was the result of global warming. The truth is that global warming played a very minor role. I will provide evidence for this in my podcast. And I will also provide the latest forecast for the July 4 weekend!
My podcast describes the reasons behind the high temperature records expected on Sunday and Monday.
There has been a lot of talk about heat waves this week, and I wanted to provide some heat-wave 101 in this podcast. Have we been breaking more high-temperature records during the past decades? The answer may surprise you! And I provide the weekend forecast, which promises dry conditions and temperatures increasing into the lower 80s during the next few days.
This podcast will start with the forecast, with a wet Sunday and Tuesday ahead. We may even have record-breaking humid air on Sunday. And in the second half, I will tell you about the cause: a moist atmospheric river that will bring water vapor, precipitation, and perhaps even thunderstorms to the region.
What is the most important summer weather feature of the Pacific Northwest? It is not thunderstorms like the rest of the country! Instead, our big weather issue is the onshore or marine push. You will learn about it in my podcast. I will also provide the latest forecast, which includes the passage of some moderate cold fronts with rain over the weekend. Finally, there will be a special zoom session for this podcast's Patreon supporters tomorrow June 5 at 10 AM. I will talk about weather satellite imagery and how you can use it. And answer any of your weather questions.
What is the key technology behind weather prediction? How can computer "models" predict the weather days in advance? You will learn about this in my podcast today. And I will provide the Memorial Day weekend forecast, which portends lots of sun and warming temperatures. Look forward to highs reaching 80F in western Washington early next week, and over 100F in portions of eastern Washington.
This podcast will continue the story of weather prediction, described the evolution of weather prediction from folk wisdom to the use of the telegraphy for distributing real-time weather observations. And our story continues through World War I and the discovery of how major weather systems evolve. It is a fascinating tale. And this podcast starts with this weekend's weather forecast, including a sunny Saturday and a cloudy Sunday.
Weather prediction is one of the great achievements of our species. What is its history? How did it develop? Today's podcast will begin to tell you the story. And I will provide the latest forecasts for our region, including an extraordinarily warm and dry weekend, but with a major shift to clouds and showers next week.
A signature aspect of Northwest weather is the occurrence of showers and sun breaks during the spring. Why does this happen now? You will learn the details during the podcast. And I will also provide the Mother's Day weekend forecast. Looks good for Sunday and even better early in the week.
Many ask: how far into the future can we predict the weather? The answer is found in this podcast, and it is more nuanced than some might expect. And I will also provide the weekend forecast.... one that is encouraging for Sunday!
The weather is about to shift in a major way, from warm/dry conditions to cool and wet, and I will give you the details in this podcast. I will also answer a frequent question: what is weather radar and how can you use it to stay dry? Weather radar can change your life....but a little knowledge will help.
What meteorological conditions lead to heatwaves in western Washington and Oregon? This podcast will reveal the details! And I will provide the forecast for this weekend, where high temperatures west of the Cascade crest will rise to 20 degrees above normal. So get a cool drink, find your sunglasses, and listen in.
The next week will be one of great contrast for the Northwest. We will go from MUCH cooler than normal temperatures over the weekend, with frost at sea level and moderate snow in the Cascades, to temperatures surging into the upper 60s west of the Cascades by the end of the week. In the second part of the podcat, I go into some depth on the decline of the current La Nina, talking about the nature of the El Nino/La Nina oscillation and the potential impacts of a weakening La Nina on West Coast precipitation next winter.
The sky is often covered by thin lines of ice clouds, known as contrails. In my podcast, I will explain why they occur and what they tell you about the atmosphere above. I will also discuss the climatic effects of contrails. And I will give you the weekend weather forecast and tell you how warm temperatures are only a short drive away.
Do humans have the power to alter the weather? I will answer this question in my podcast. And I provide a weekend weather forecast for the region, including a strong front that will cross Washington State on Sunday and plenty of snow late Sunday in the mountains.
Western Washington and Oregon have the longest springs in the nation, extending to 4 months or more. I explain why in this podcast. And I will give the weekend forecast, which promises lots of snow in the mountains, and showers with sun breaks in the lowlands.
Western Washington and Oregon have fewer and weaker thunderstorms than much of the U.S. In this podcast, I explain why. And I provide the weekend forecast, describing a beautiful Saturday, with a strong from moving through on Sunday afternoon.
In this podcast, I discuss a major issue: U.S. global weather prediction is lagging the rest of the world. Not only do I lay out the problem, but tell you why. My podcast also provides the weekend forecast for the region, with a showery weekend followed by dry, warming weather later in the week.
In this podcast I start with the weekend weather forecast, which will be pretty benign because of the influence of a large ridge of high pressure over the eastern Pacific. Then I turn to the extreme weather of Texas, particularly its gyrations between summer warmth and Arctic cold during the winter months. As I will explain, geography is meteorological destiny.
In this segment I discuss the profound rain shadow that will occur this weekend, with heavy snow and rain in the mountains and relatively dry conditions over the Puget Sound lowlands and the eastern slopes of the Cascades. And then in the second segment, I take on the misinformation about the Texas cold wave. There are a lot of claims in major media that cold waves, like the current one, are associated with global warming and will increase under global warming. This is simply not true and I tell you why.
This podcast is about the expected snowfall this weekend, with the big event tonight and tomorrow (Saturday), with a look out into next week.
In this podcast I talk about the upcoming major snow event and some of the challenges in forecasting it.
I start with the forecast, with particular attention to the cold air that will push over the region this week. Will it snow? We will examine that. And in the second portion of the podcast, I answer the question that many ask: is there a void of weather data over the Pacific Ocean? Does that make weather prediction difficult here in the Northwest? My answer my surprise you!
This podcast starts with the weekend forecast, which includes several frontal passages, showers, and moderate mountain snows. But then I turn to the most dangerous weather phenomenon of the region-- ice on the roadways--and tell you what to look for and how to protect yourself from this hazard.
We have some interesting weather ahead. First most dry with plenty of sun. But then the potential for MUCH colder temperatures and lowland snow later in the week. And in the second section I talk about our Wednesday windstorm and why the forecast was mediocre at best.
I start with the weekend forecast, including a dry Saturday, gusty downslope winds on the Cascades, a decent Sunday, and then the potential for a VERY wet period of Tuesday and Wednesday. Then I answer a question posed by several of you: what is the energy source of storms? You will learn that tropical and midlatitude storms get their power in different ways!
In this podcast, I will give you the windy forecast for this weekend and tell you about a powerful front that will cross our region on Saturday night. Then, after the intermission, I will tell you why there are wind gusts. Why aren't winds steady, but periodically increase substantially in strength? You will be gust-informed by the end of the podcast.
The holiday week weather forecast is important and I will provide the details, including the outlook for this weekend, the dry spell midweek, and the Christmas Day forecast. Plus, I will give you the inside story on the big Northeast snowstorm of yesterday, where some locations received 40-50 inches of snow! How do these snowstorms form and how well can we forecast them?
This winter will be characterized by a strong La Nina (cooler than normal waters in the tropical Pacific). What does this mean for our winter's weather? Snowpack? I will explain it all. And I will also provide the latest forecast, with Saturday being the last dry, sunny day in a long, long time!
During the autumn, the Northwest is often visited by a strange condition: temperatures WARMING with height. These features are called inversions and this podcast will explain why they occur and how you can use inversion knowledge to escape the cold and murk on many autumn days!
And I provide the forecast for this weekend, which actually is not bad for this time of the year.
The middle to end of November is the stormiest time of the year. Why? My podcast today will explain? And we have an interesting weather period ahead, with unusually dry conditions and powerful easterly winds in gaps in the Cascades and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. That and the rest of the forecast will be provided in the podcast.
The Northwest can get big windstorms associated with Pacific cyclones, with the strongest equivalent to category 1 or 2 hurricanes in wind speed and damage potential. In this blog, I will talk about our windstorms and tell you about some of the most memorable. I will also give you the forecast, including an optimistic view for Thanksgiving Day.
During the next few days there is going to be heavy snow in the mountains and breezy/wet conditions in the lowlands. Normal for this time of the year. The latest model forecasts suggest the potential for a major windstorm later on Tuesday, but it it is too early to be certain about this!
My second segment today will look ahead to the winter. It looks like a strong La Nina is in place and that means lots of snow in mountains and cooler/wetter than normal in the lowlands. A good year to bet on a season's pass at your favorite ski area!
There has been, literally, a 180 degree change in our weather, with warm, moist southerly flow replaced by cool, drier air from the north. Sixty degree temperatures are probably over the the season. I will describe the cool, windy future weather of this weekend and look ahead to the rest of the week.
In my second segment I answer the most asked question I receive: where can one get the best forecast? Which group provides the most skillful predictions? All will be revealed in my podcast!
In this episode, I give the important election week weather forecast--and I am not going to speculate on which party it will favor! This week, Hurricane Zeta hit the Gulf Coast. Why doesn't the West Coast get hurricanes? You will will learn the cold truth on this podcast.
In this episode, I talk about the active weather we will experience this weekend, including strong winds, mountain and eastern WA snow, as well as cold temperatures. This weather will be startling to many. And in the second segment, I will tell you why it is so hard to get snow in western Washington and will reveal the rare weather situation that allows snow to reach to sea level, west of the Cascade crest.
After a blustery Friday, expect a cool weekend with some showers on Sunday morning. But one thing has NOT been cool is the low temperatures we have experienced each morning. For over a month, our low temperatures have been 5-8F above normal. Why? It turns out that the feared BLOB of warm eastern Pacific temperatures have returned and that warm water is keeping our temperatures toasty at night. In the second segment of my podcast I will tell you all you need about the BLOB and why it strengthened over the summer.
The weather is about to change in a big way, and I will talk about heavy rain, wind, thunderstorms and mountain snows that will impact our region over the weekend and beyond. And then I will turn to talking about the jet stream, the strong current of winds in the upper atmosphere that has a huge impact on aviation, storms and more. Why do jet streams exist? Who discovered them? All will be revealed in this podcast.
I start with with forecast, noting our foggy mornings, and describe the dry period ahead. And you will learn about the future of our smoke. In the second segment I tell you why we are in the middle of the Northwest fog season. You will be fog knowledgeable when I am done!
I start with the forecast, discussing an atmospheric river bringing heavy rain today, followed by drying over the weekend and the development of big ridge and warm/dry weather during the week. Temperatures rising to near 80F by mid-weedk.
Then in my second segment, I give you a short course on atmospheric rivers--what are they are why are they so important for NW weather.
Let's jump right in to the current weather situation with your weekend forecast (expect major improvement in the smoke situation on Saturday). In my special segment I will describe how smoke forecasts are made and why our models ran into trouble during the past week.
This episode will talk about the smoke moving into the Puget Sound and potential for a major influx on Friday. I will provide the weekend forecast and talk about rain coming in by Tuesday. In my special segment, I will answer the key question: are the big fires in Oregon associated with global warming.
Going somewhere for Labor Day? Cliff provides a detailed holiday weekend forecast for the Western Washington and Seattle areas in the first segment. In the second segment, Cliff details the looming record breaking heatwave set to strike and a smokey surprise from California.
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