Some Showers and a Cool Down Ahead

 There are clouds and a few light showers moving into western Washington this afternoon as monsoonal moisture heads northward.

The latest radar image shows some of the light rain (see below).  No lightning is being detected at this time.

The latest visible satellite image defines the plume of middle to high clouds from the south entraining into western Washington.  Low stratus clouds are west of the Oregon coast.

The NOAA HRRR model, making forecasts every hour, shows some of the light rain moving up into western Washington tonight (the forecast of the simulated radar image for 9 PM tonight is shown).

Last night was a warm one at some locations, as shown by the minimum temperatures last night below.  The warm locations were found on the east side of the Sound, where temps only dropped to around 70F, and on the eastern slopes of the Cascades.

Why so warm in some locations?  We started with a sunny, warm day yesterday, and then the clouds streamed in from the south around sunset.  Clouds (and the associated bountiful moisture in the atmosphere) act like a blanket, slowing the normal nighttime cooling.

Recently, the Northwest has been the warmest part of the nation compared to normal (or climatology).  The map below shows the temperature anomaly (difference from normal) at around 5000 ft across the nations. Dark orange and red indicate much warmer than normal   

Our region has been the most anomalously warm due to the ridge of high pressure aloft and all that moisture from the south.

Tonight, the upper-level ridge of high pressure that has given us the warmth will weaken and move northeastward as an upper-level trough of low-pressure approaches.

The latest NOAA National Blend of Models forecast suggests that temperatures in Seattle will cool down to around 80F for the next few days (see below).  Importantly, the low temperatures will drop to around 60F at night.  Good for opening the windows and getting a decent rest.

Eastern Washington will cool down a bit early next week, with the Tri-Cities going from the low 100s into the mid to upper 90s.
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Atmospheric Sciences 101

Like last year, I am teaching atmospheric sciences 101:  a general introduction to weather and climate, this fall.  You can learn more about the class on the class website.  I talk about everything from the basics of the atmosphere to weather prediction, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and local weather to global warming and climate.

I will be teaching the class in person at the UW, but will also make it available over zoom.  Thus, folks can take it remotely.

If you are over 60, you can take the class through the ACCESS program for a very nominal charge (something like $15).   Last year I had over 100 folks do so.

If you are a UW student looking to learn about weather or a non-student interested in the topic, I welcome you to join me this fall.  My first class is on September 28th.