An enormous quantity of climate has occurred and we are actually inside the high-resolution forecast interval for the lowland snow occasion on Monday.
The atmospheric river of Thursday/Friday didn’t disappoint, with some places securing almost 10 inches of precipitation (see 48-h totals under). A number of native rivers reached flood stage and main regional reservoirs have begun to fill.
It’s most likely time for the US Drought Monitor to drop the SEVERE drought over western Washington
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The nice and cozy/moist atmospheric river state of affairs was ended late Friday by the arrival of a robust chilly entrance transferring in from the Northwest.
Behind the entrance, a really robust westerly wind surge pushed down the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with winds reaching 60-70 mph, leading to tens of hundreds of consumers shedding energy within the north Sound space. Our WRF modeling system offered a superb forecast of the wind occasion (see under, blue and lightweight blue are the strongest winds)).
Behind the entrance was cool, unstable air that, pressured to rise by the mountains, produced numerous snow within the mountains, closing some passes for some time and inflicting chains to be required (see under).
OK…there was numerous intense, attention-grabbing climate the previous few days, however what many actually wish to find out about is whether or not there might be lowland snow.
And the reply is sure…however it’ll solely be in sure places. Curiously, the issue will not be cold–it might be precipitation!
On Monday, a robust present of chilly, northwesterly winds will push out of the Fraser River Valley throughout Bellingham and the San Juans, then push into the Olympics and out the Strait of Juan de Fuca (see under, blue colours point out temperatures chilly sufficient to snow).
And by Tuesday morning, a few of that chilly air will push into Puget Sound (see under)
Now let us take a look at the amassed snowfall by Tuesday morning from the UW high-resolution mannequin (see under). Big quantities within the mountains (toes). A number of inches from Bellingham to the San Juans. Snow at low ranges alongside the Strait of Juan De Fuca and east or south of the Olympics….and even just a few flakes over north Seattle.
An essential issue working in opposition to the snow is easterly downslope circulation on the western aspect of the central Cascades and the overall lack of common precipitation as a result of the strongest atmospheric forcing might be south of us. Will watch the evolution carefully.
PS: On Friday I didn’t bike to work as a result of I feared falling bushes from the winds. Driving alongside San Level Means, I noticed an enormous department fall round 5:45PM, hitting a powerline, inflicting a fountain of sparks, after which knocking out the facility. Together with my house. You actually must respect and admire the linemen/linewomen that go up into the strains to revive energy.
