December 20, 2013

Snowing over the Region

Light snow is now falling over the Washington interior, with rain on the coast. At 6 AM snow totals (based mainly from pictures and cams) seem to be roughly from .5 to 1 inch....perhaps some of you can send in totals as comments.


The latest radar image shows light precipitation over the entire region and you can see the back edge of the frontal precipitation reaching the far NW coast (this is why you need the coastal radar!)

 Our radars are dual polarized, which means they can determine precipitation type.  Here is the precip type for what the lowest beam of the radar at Camano Is. is seeing:  light blue--which means dry snow.

What about temperatures aloft?  The latest data at 6 AM show it is plenty cold enough for snow and clearly will remain so for several more hours.
Based on the radar, looks we have several hours more of snow over the western interior.



 
 
Help The Seattle School District Pick Better Math Textbooks for K-5

Most Seattle elementary schools are using very poor math textbooks:  Everyday Math.  FINALLY, the district is replacing them and you can help ensure that decent books are selected. For the next few weeks the finalist books will be available at the Seattle Schools HQ and you can peruse them and provide comments.   Here is more information on this opportunity.  With information form concerned citizens and parents, a math committee will make recommendations to the district.  
 
Seattle is looking at 8 different programs.  I'm familiar with two of them:  Math In Focus: Singapore Math, and enVision.  Of these two, the Singapore program is far superior in how the math content is developed for the kids, and the clarity of the program for teachers and families.  Math In Focus was adopted two years ago by Highline School District, which has been increasing their math achievement scores relative to the state ever since.  enVision is not a terrible program, but it doesn't have the same focus and teaching to mastery as the Singapore program.  It's like a slightly enhanced version of Everyday Math, which is now confusing Seattle kids on a daily basis.  We don't need any more of that.  Take a look at the books online, or in person at the John Stanford Center.  The top three finalists will be displayed at 5 schools around the Seattle area for detailed review in March of 2014.  The final selection will be in classrooms by fall of 2014.


71 comments:

  1. SeaTac Angle Lake area 1/2" after picking the newspaper at 6 AM and very light snow. Road surface does not exhibit any ice. Seems dry at the surface.

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  2. 1/2" of Snow Angle Lake SeaTac. Light snow and road surface seems to be dry.

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  3. 1.5" in Port Angeles @ 6am. Light snow.

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  4. .5 ins and snowing lightl in Central Kitsap (Tracyton)

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  5. Great forecasting, Cliff.

    You nailed it.

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  6. 2 1/2 inches 31.8 degrees in Anacortes at 6:30. Snowing lightly

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  7. 7/8" dense easily packed snow on raised wooden deck. Appears to be falling 0.5 to 1.0 inch per hr at the moment. 2 mi S of Hansville 300 ft elev. 32F. 06:30

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  8. I measured just over an inch in very northeastern Kirkland (by the QFC on Juanita Drive).

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  9. Abou 1.75 inches in Everett and it is still snowing steadily at 6:49 AM.

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  10. Nice forecasting Cliff. The afternoon discussion yesterday made it seem that snow was unlikely. You have been calling snow since Wednesday - you rock!

    Just under 1 inch in Bellingham near the water, more inland apparently. Very slippery on the roads right now. Snow seems to be getting a little heavier, but is still pretty light.

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  11. Napavine Triangle. Between Onalaska and Chehalis. Elevation, 600'. 7am. Very light snow. Just a dusting. Still a bit sifting down. Just saw the snow plow go by.

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  12. 06:30 -- 7/8" dense easily packed snow on raised wooden deck. Appears to be falling 0.5 to 1.0 inch per hr at the moment. 2 mi S of Hansville 300 ft elev. 32.5F. Update 07:00 -- 1 1/8" total accumulation lighter snowfall rate, less dense snow 32.7F

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  13. 1/2" on Bainbridge Island about a mile north of the ferry landing. Looks to be about it for us. Snow has stopped and from the radar it looks like upper-level flow has shifted to westerly which puts is squarely in the Olympic rain (in this case snow) shadow.

    At least I got something out of this event, instead of it being a total disappointment.

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  14. Maybe two inches on beacon hill? Super wet, still some very light snow.

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  15. On the ridge just west of Duvall at 500 feet it is snowing hard with about 1.5 inches on the ground.

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  16. 3/4 in and still coming down, on Capitol Hill, even! This New Englander will take what she can get.

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  17. 1.2" west side of Carkeek with light snow still falling

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  18. Over an inch here on top of Hollywood Hill in Woodinville. Snowing steadily. Small light flakes. If this keeps up for a couple more hours we should get 3+ inches.

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  19. Almost no snow downtown. a dusting in the tree rings near 4th and Madison. The radar at 7:20 looks like the snow is pretty much over. Rooftops are white.

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  20. 1.25" here in Bellingham on the walk to my house. I'm on Alabama Hill.

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  21. Downtown (2nd and Pine): Very light snow and no accumulation on sidewalks and roads. Trace of accumulation on non-paved areas and parked cars.

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  22. About 2" of good, sticky snowball snow at 1000' in Sequim by 7:00am.

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  23. About 2 to 2.5 inches on at 700 feet on Mount Constitution, Orcas Island...quite pretty...

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  24. Barely an inch, about 30 degrees, one mile inland from Bellingham bay, still moderately snowing, no wind.

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  25. Maybe an inch in Magnolia (around 300 feet above sea level). UW district has very little.

    Kind of a fizzle on the forecast if you ask me.

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  26. Here in Eastsound, on Orcas, about an inch, other parts of the island, heavier. Deer Harbor 2" plus.

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  27. Cliff, It's really picking up here in Woodinville again. Convergence Zone snow? My kids are happy... 2+ inches.

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  28. 1 1/2 inches of wet slippery snowin Issaquah Highlands and still coming down steady. It's very treacherous on these hills and I've watched four-wheel drive vehicles struggle (more like spin out) attempting to get up and down the steep hill I live on. Forget the front wheel drivers, those can't even make it halfway up or down without losing control so it's a practice in futility. I'm sick anyway and haven't slept all night so staying home seems like the best choice. The commute is going to be a mess for anyone who attempts to travel whether it be by foot, car, or bus.

    Thanks for being so awesome Cliff and doing what you do best! You're the one person I can count on to nail the forecasts every time!

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  29. UPTOWN PORT TOWNSEND.
    8:15A
    0.5 Inches

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  30. Uptown Port Townsend, Washington
    8.15a
    0.5 inches

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  31. Correction. Makes that 2" of snow in the Issq. Highlands!!

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  32. Little over 1" in North Bothell. Very, very tiny light flakes falling right now.

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  33. Mornin' Cliff ~
    We've got about 3 inches here on Lopez Island. And say, thanks heaps for all your GREAT updates!

    Christi

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  34. We have about an inch in Wallingford.

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  35. 1.5" in loland Sequim. Light drizzle at 8:35AM.

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  36. 08:30 update 2 mi S of Hansville 300' elev 1 1/4" total, light rain 33.1 F

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  37. About 4" at 500 feet on the west side of San Juan Island at 8:45 am and still snowing lightly. (It began about 10:00 pm last night). Temp is 31.2. I'd say we're in for the day on this hill.

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  38. Several inches in north Whatcom County, outside Lynden. Snow started around 1:00 am and it's still coming down lightly at 9:00 am. Countryside looks so lovely ~ we can hardly bear to think this will only last a few hours!

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  39. It's 9am. Still have the same 1 1/2 inch of snow since 7am here in Greenwood/Crown Hill, just SE of Carkeek Park.

    The interesting part now is that it's currently sleeting.

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  40. From just 1/2 inch of snow uphill from Kingston Ferry Terminal at 6am - by 8:50am, we are now getting just rain. Also very breezy and about 34 degrees.

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  41. One inch at 50ft ASL in south Bellingham.

    Dog loves it!

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  42. Was just out taking some photos here on Bainbridge and had two brief sleet showers come through. Cold air is evidently eroding from above. 32 degrees here at the surface; was 31 at daybreak.

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  43. Shoreline, center of ridge at 440 ft elevation: 1/2 inch 9:30 am

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  44. 3/4 inch on Useless Bay, Whidbey Island by 7:00 and almost nothing since.

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  45. It's 32.6F here in East Bellevue (just west of Lake Sammamish and about 80' above the lake height) and it's snow with some sleet/rain mixed in, actually coming down pretty hard now. I'd say we ended up with an inch of snow. I'm hoping it melts in the next hour... it was pretty and the kids had fun but I need to get in to the office to complete a software release.
    I consider this forecast a triumph of science and really appreciate you sharing the finer details and judgment calls with us.

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  46. 1.0" in Normandy Park

    Brief snow pellet shower moved through near the end.

    Came up with 0.13" Liquid equivalent after melting down.

    Exact same amount as KSEA airport which is about 2 miles due east of me.

    My elevation is 331'

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  47. SE of North Bend at 1000 feet. 3 inches of powder at 10 am. Still snowing lightly and 30 degrees F.

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  48. 1" East Renton Highlands. Very dense inch. Untreated streets still are compact snow and getting the melting slippery glaze. Some sleet pellets just before ending. Nice work trusting the right models. I had my doubts with light S flow and 850 temps well warmer than -8 which was an old rule of thumb. Success!

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  49. Well done Cliff. Thank you so much for youe great forecasting this week.

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  50. SE of North Bend at 1000 feet. 3 inches of powder at 10 am. Still snowing lightly and 30 degrees F.

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  51. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  52. Measured 1 1/4" on my car at 9:30AM Shoreline near 190th & Meridian.

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  53. Just stepped outside to measure here in Ferndale: 3" at 10:40 with the snow starting to ease. Lat/Lon: 48.87°N 122.61°W Elevation: 289 ft

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  54. Just measured: 3" in Ferndale about 5.5 miles inland, elevation 290 ft. Snow is easing.

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  55. After a break, it is starting to snow quite heavily in the Bellingham area.

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  56. Thanks for the info on the math programs, Cliff!

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  57. Two-three inches Anacortes--enough to ski Storvik Park early. Even tiny downhills! Love telemark!

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  58. Awesome, about 4 hours of actual winter in 2 years! And we're talking a few inches in the spots that got "a lot". Ha, ha, no good Winter. I'm calling you out as a wimp until you prove otherwise. I don't think you have it in you... ;)

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  59. As of 11:40 snowing at Hwy 9 just South of the Whatcom/Skagit line.

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  60. 11:30am, Maple Falls, 700 feet, 31.5 degrees: 3 inches and snowing steadily s

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  61. Been snowing steady about 15 miles NE of Bellingham. Maybe 2-3" but it kind of condenses as it falls. Breeze has been from the north all morning and it's just gotten above freezing in my front yard.

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  62. It has been snowing moderately in Whatcom County for the last hour or so. We have picked up another inch or so, near the water in Bellingham.

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  63. Six inches of snow just off UBC campus in Vancouver, still snowing at 1 pm and temp is 0.2C. I think we are in a puddle of cool air protected by the North Shore mountains.

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  64. At 1000' 5 mi SE of North Bend. 1:30 pm with weather coming from the West. Sleet at 34° F. Roads getting slushy.

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  65. Had about 1 1/2 inches on the ground this morning at 9am, on South Whidbey. Getting some light rain now. Mooshy.

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  66. 1.5 inches Bellevue, near Phantom Lake. (7am)

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  67. Just a dusting this morning in the Portland/Vancouver area.
    Singapore Math would be great. Awesome, in fact. But, they won't pick it. They won't pick it because it takes teachers too long to get trained for it and the teachers themselves don't want to learn this superior way of doing math and everyone gets frustrated and caves in two years because it is a commitment. I've seen it happen in other districts and it is sad, really. If elementary teachers just knew a bit more math than they do now, and if they would be willing to give it a shot for 5 years, our kids would show gains on the tests and everyone would buy in to the program.
    I really hope they get Singapore Math because that might mean the we get it down here and that would make my job as a middle school math teacher so much better.

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  68. Dr. Mass, are there any empirical studies that indicate which of these various programs are most effective at teaching math to various constituencies (not that I don't trust the rantings of a curmudgeonly meteorologist)? It seems like madness to choose a text and a program based upon comments from the lay public who are given a chance to thumb through a few random textbooks. Is that how YOU choose the texts for your classroom? Invite public comment and go with the majority? I want to see data from acknowledged experts in the field of math education. I by experts I mean mathematicians who study math education. Not D.Ed.s who "study" math.

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  69. 1" East Renton Highlands. Very close inch. Untreated streets still are bunched snow and accepting the melting glace glaze. Some barrage pellets just afore ending. Nice plan dupe the appropriate models. I had my doubts with ablaze S breeze and 850 temps able-bodied warmer than -8 which was an old aphorism of thumb. Success!mensagens para celular

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