tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post327234885725660516..comments2024-03-18T22:50:29.792-07:00Comments on Cliff Mass Weather Blog: This weekend stormCliff Mass Weather Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948649423540350788noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-28570456478509540342008-12-20T12:22:00.000-08:002008-12-20T12:22:00.000-08:00Thanks for your wonderful weather commentary, Clif...Thanks for your wonderful weather commentary, Cliff. It's very useful and I'm learning a lot and plan to buy your book. I don't understand the charts very well but do plan to use some of them as quilt designs.<BR/>KarinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-7602184164308624352008-12-20T10:39:00.000-08:002008-12-20T10:39:00.000-08:00Kevin noted: "As anyone who listens to the weather...Kevin noted: "As anyone who listens to the weather radio knows (chant along!): the Metro area is "Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and the vicinity."<BR/><BR/>Reminds me of when I used to work at KUOW in the '80s/'90s. I would read the forecasts for "Seattle-Tacoma and Vicinity," and would occasionally ask out loud "where exactly IS Vicinity? I can't locate it on the map." It became a running gag with our listeners for a short while.<BR/><BR/>Cliff, it's always a treat to hear and read your interpretations of our weather. Thanks for turning us all into weather geeks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-73978243781272302572008-12-19T23:38:00.000-08:002008-12-19T23:38:00.000-08:00No offense to whoever posted above. But Walter kel...No offense to whoever posted above. But Walter kelly is like the worst meterologist on tv.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-5585101866751338682008-12-19T23:26:00.000-08:002008-12-19T23:26:00.000-08:00Dear Liembo:Sensationalism? Maybe, maybe not. As W...Dear Liembo:<BR/>Sensationalism? Maybe, maybe not. As Wednesday's non-event demonstrates, predicting weather around here is a crap shoot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-16460680210826123362008-12-19T22:32:00.000-08:002008-12-19T22:32:00.000-08:00Walter Kelly of Q13 on their 10 o'clock pm newscas...Walter Kelly of Q13 on their 10 o'clock pm newscast just emphatically said (twice) that Seattle could see 8.5 inches of snow on Sunday, talk about sensationalism?Liembohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998876133931636297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-76555792656834199902008-12-19T22:31:00.000-08:002008-12-19T22:31:00.000-08:00Hi Cliff,My local bookstore can't get your book un...Hi Cliff,<BR/>My local bookstore can't get your book until January but that's okay. I am glad so many people know about it! <BR/>It is so great how everyone is contributing to the blog. Here's my tip:<BR/>People can find forecasts for specific locations in western Washington at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/<BR/>Just click on the place you are interested in. <BR/>Hope I don't lose power this weekend--I want to follow all this weather talk on the internet!Lainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07414556216151508289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-41273473293147242932008-12-19T21:54:00.000-08:002008-12-19T21:54:00.000-08:00Very cool site. As an avid backcountry skier, I'm ...Very cool site. As an avid backcountry skier, I'm always trying to find detailed forecasts. Predicting weather here is quite hard, but this site will surely help! In November we were complaining about the lack of snow...now we can't even get up into the mountains to enjoy it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-80803977498226900022008-12-19T21:43:00.000-08:002008-12-19T21:43:00.000-08:00I'm really enjoying your book.On Tuesday night I w...I'm really enjoying your book.<BR/><BR/>On Tuesday night I was reading the chapter about snowstorms. Last night, it was windstorms. I'm watching the weather very closely this week and it's really enlightening having your book at hand. <BR/><BR/>Your blog and KUOW spots are also very helpful. Thanks for helping my understanding of our wild and whacky northwest weather.Debbie Sladekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01072575984711726986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-50981412581972860602008-12-19T21:32:00.000-08:002008-12-19T21:32:00.000-08:00^^^^^^Sounds like it could be a real similar event...^^^^^^Sounds like it could be a real similar event to 03 when I watched old growth firs splash into Lake Wilderness from my deck. I am not looking forward to this, nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a tree through you roof.<BR/><BR/>I will keep people updated as long as there is power, which probly won't be to long.<BR/><BR/>I would sign in as cornbread, but the site won't let me now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-29531986472174413202008-12-19T19:54:00.000-08:002008-12-19T19:54:00.000-08:00New reader here! I just love the NW weather, but ...New reader here! I just love the NW weather, but sometimes it can get a little scary. I live in Enumclaw, but lived in Maple Valley when the 03 storm hit. Are these winds to be comparable to the 03 storm? or worse?<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-35867538616363767912008-12-19T19:34:00.000-08:002008-12-19T19:34:00.000-08:00All...I very much appreciate all the positive comm...All...I very much appreciate all the positive comments...it looks like I am not the only lover of NW weather! I know I can't describe all the local impacts of the approaching weather system...it would take pages and pages...but if you look at the graphics I am including you can get an idea of how snow and wind will vary around the region. ..cliffCliff Mass Weather Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948649423540350788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-8363344667402601892008-12-19T18:32:00.000-08:002008-12-19T18:32:00.000-08:00Best message is all is the very real need to be PR...Best message is all is the very real need to be PREPARED. We now have predicted: <B>several inches of more snow, high winds, very cold temps.</B><BR/>Two years ago we had a major wind event (also in mid-December) and power outages with 200,000 homes affected. Food, water, warmth are essential and it isn't up to government or service agencies to provide. It is up to you. <BR/>Thanks to Cliff for the warning/forecast.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11489769721194807913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-44371770981881620372008-12-19T17:39:00.000-08:002008-12-19T17:39:00.000-08:00Or maybe Cliff actually has a life:-)Thanks to Cli...Or maybe Cliff actually has a life:-)<BR/><BR/>Thanks to Cliff for the great KUOW spot and this wonderfully informative blog. Thanks to all the posters for the additional info and entertainment!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-52283568172685972872008-12-19T17:33:00.000-08:002008-12-19T17:33:00.000-08:00Kevin,Thanks for the educational links! I knew som...Kevin,<BR/>Thanks for the educational links! I knew some of the things you posted about, but not all of them, and weather and weather predicting is pretty much endlessly fascinating to me, so I was glad to see these resources.JewelyaZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09434569437851248356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-25993314521215914142008-12-19T17:19:00.000-08:002008-12-19T17:19:00.000-08:00I guess Cliffy must've gotten stuck in traffic?I guess Cliffy must've gotten stuck in traffic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-14651491879716946912008-12-19T17:02:00.001-08:002008-12-19T17:02:00.001-08:00Hi Cliff - - - First, thank you so much for yo...Hi Cliff - - - First, thank you so much for your blog and reports on KUOW. Your nuanced and balanced discussions are much appreciated.<BR/><BR/>Secondly, do you have any specifics on the upcoming event and its effect in the San Juan Islands? Things seem to have a way of affecting us here in the islands differently than the surrounding areas. At the very least, I'll be leaving my chains on for the weekend. Thanks for all you do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-15689121626442660942008-12-19T17:02:00.000-08:002008-12-19T17:02:00.000-08:00natchrl8r asks: "I don't know what increasing qpf ...natchrl8r asks: "I don't know what increasing qpf ratios are and I wasn't sure if the Metro Areas referred to Everett/Bellingham or Seattle."<BR/><BR/>As anyone who listens to the weather radio knows (chant along!): the Metro area is "Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and the vicinity". Bellingham is a seperate area: the Northwest Interior in NWS speak.<BR/><BR/>Quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) is the prediction of the amount of precipitation that will fall at a given location in a given time interval.<BR/><BR/>Depending on the weather conditions a given amount of rain will result in an certain amount of snow. The figure that connects these two numbers is the snow to liquid ratio. <BR/><BR/>So in some cases (think wet sleet) 1 inch of rain is equal to 1 inch of "snow". But for fluffy dry snow the snow to liquid ratio is much higher (10:1 or even higher). Yet another complication of predicting snow.<BR/><BR/>It seems that the NWS folks are worried that the snow ratio will be high with this storm so you could get a lot of snow for a given QPF.<BR/><BR/>For example see<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/346/" REL="nofollow">http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/346/</A><BR/><A HREF="http://sanders.math.uwm.edu/cgi-bin-snowratio/sr_timeetc.pl?site=KBLI" REL="nofollow">http://sanders.math.uwm.edu/cgi-bin-snowratio/sr_timeetc.pl?site=KBLI</A><BR/><BR/>One URL perhaps needed is to the American Meteorological Society glossary: from AABW to ZDR.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary" REL="nofollow">http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary</A><BR/><BR/>FWIW: Quite a few people ask questions that can be answered just by looking at the graphics Cliff posts. Click on them to get the big version so you can see the details. Look for where you live (try another map with cities on it and look for coastline or mountain features to find your way). <BR/><BR/>Reading the charts is not too difficult: look for wind barbs for wind speed and direction; contour lines and shading for the other parameters. Check the upper right corner and the bottom for the key. The title gives you a hint of the time period and content of the chart.Kevin Purcellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15669040476786919757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-81668191695470942442008-12-19T16:59:00.000-08:002008-12-19T16:59:00.000-08:00Hi Cliff (or anyone else who can help). I'm headi...Hi Cliff (or anyone else who can help). I'm heading up to Canada tomorrow (Saturday) around noon. We plan on coming back on Monday (mid to late afternoon)... Tuesday at the latest as we need to be back before Christmas.<BR/><BR/>I live in Renton so I'll just be going up the I-405 to I-5 corridor. I assume the interstates will be well plowed. I bought some chains today just to make sure.<BR/><BR/>With the incredible weather this weekend, should we just stay home and cancel the trip? My concern is mostly coming back -- we don't want to get stuck in Canada. So my timeline: Leave for Canada about noonish, head back to Renton around 3:00'ish on Monday. I noticed that it may start raining Monday as it warms up, so I'm hoping that means the snow and ice melts to a wet but safe commute.<BR/><BR/>Thoughts? Thanks so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-73318573821266373292008-12-19T15:49:00.000-08:002008-12-19T15:49:00.000-08:00http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=16553Cliff's sp...http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=16553<BR/><BR/>Cliff's spot is towards the end of this program. Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-77156820107264695722008-12-19T15:44:00.000-08:002008-12-19T15:44:00.000-08:00Thanks for the snow graphic, Cliff. We already ha...Thanks for the snow graphic, Cliff. We already have about 6-8" of snow at our house in Olympia and from the looks of your map we will likely double it by Sunday AM.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-25799159114282316232008-12-19T15:36:00.000-08:002008-12-19T15:36:00.000-08:00Could someone please post the link to Cliff's repo...Could someone please post the link to Cliff's report on the KUOW web site? I'm not having any luck tracking it down. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-89316271725766447302008-12-19T15:20:00.000-08:002008-12-19T15:20:00.000-08:00finally, a blog for someone like me, who really wa...finally, a blog for someone like me, who really wants to know more and that educates us and talks to us as if we can understand what is going on! Thank you, great site. I learned about you from a friend on Facebook!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-75146589849805493332008-12-19T15:04:00.000-08:002008-12-19T15:04:00.000-08:00Dang, looks like I am going to get pummeled by the...Dang, looks like I am going to get pummeled by the winds here in Maple Valley. The last time (2003-4 I think) this situation developed in the winter gusts were to 80mph and power was out for over a week. It literally looked like a tornado had touched down there was so much damage, trees tossed like matchsticks.cornbreadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10106492006188662532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-36825424977933679522008-12-19T14:16:00.000-08:002008-12-19T14:16:00.000-08:00Cliff:I'd always called the land-cooling convectio...Cliff:<BR/><BR/>I'd always called the land-cooling convection clouds "Cloud Trains" because they form over the Sound so often during cool weather. Sometimes you can even see them form on the Hood Canal, and rarely I can see the one down the Georgia Strait/Admirality Inlet from here in Alki.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for explaining the Cloud Trains.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-2705085503922458932008-12-19T13:35:00.000-08:002008-12-19T13:35:00.000-08:00Cliff,Interesting how you characterize this as a "...Cliff,<BR/><BR/>Interesting how you characterize this as a "classic" active weather situation, whereas I see the following wording from the current NWS Forecast Discussion:<BR/><BR/>"This is a rare and very complex weather situation."Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06672849934921996050noreply@blogger.com