Today, an upper-level trough of low pressure is moving through the region, bringing cooler conditions over the region and strong winds in eastern Washington.
In fact, much stronger winds from an unusual direction.
Consider the forecast upper-level weather map (500 hPa pressure, around 18,000 ft) this morning (below). A low-pressure area.... a trough... is moving southeastward over the region, with high pressure....a ridge... over the Pacific.
This feature is pushing cooler, Pacific air into western Washington and Oregon, resulting in stronger westerly winds over the eastern slopes of the Cascades.
But in the wake of the trough later today, strong northerly winds (from the north) will push down the Okanogan Valley into northeast Washington.
Consider the wind gust forecasts from the UW high-resolution weather prediction model. At 8 PM Monday (today), it is going for moderate wind gusts...up to about 35 kt around Ellensburg and vicinity. Typical summer conditions and why there are a lot of wind turbines there.
A plot of the maximum wind gusts forecast through tonight shows a substantial strong wind area on the eastern slopes of the Cascades.
Cliff, it seems we have had more wind this summer. The northerly winds, at least in the City of Snohomish, have really made the wamer temperatures managable. I don't remember summers having this much wind normally. However, that could just be me getting older. The temps in the upper 80s are much easier to tolerate when there is a good breeze blowing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA good breeze does wonders to make high temperatures seem less bad. That and plenty of tree cover. I noticed yesterday south of Port Townsend that the airport had reached 82 degrees by 10:30am, and an area southwest of the airport that is closer to Discovery Bay (but not all the way down at the junction of US 101 and SR 20) with more tree cover was only 72 degrees.
DeleteYep had to warn most people I know. Like I said the local radio said nothing but "gusty" winds. Not the damaging dangerous wind like NWS said. And many don't follow NWS. Fire cooking now north omak evacuations. Not good. Have we seen the already or more coming?
ReplyDeleteAren't radio stations mandated by law to communicate NWS warnings, watches, and advisories like TV stations are? Love or hate the NWS, they are the agency that issues the official warnings, watches, and advisories, so they do matter even to those who find other sources to be more accurate for day-to-day weather conditions.
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ReplyDeleteWinds turned northerly in Western Whatcom County yesterday afternoon and, with outflow/downslope conditions, conspired to boost temperatures at my location in Bellingham to near 80F until just after 7PM. In fact, yesterday's daily maximum temperature (79F) occurred at the unusually late hour of 6:39PM.
ReplyDeleteLoved the cooler conditions yesterday (Monday). Finding today (Tuesday) to be a bit sticky.
ReplyDeleteSeems like a lot of fires are popping up on the western side of the cascades north of Seattle.
ReplyDeleteI've been following the Watch Duty app this summer, and can agree that there have been a lot of fires popping up in Western Washington. There have been a lot north of Seattle, but I have seen some pop up south of Seattle, especially in the southern parts of Thurston County, as well. I've also noticed a handful on the eastern slopes of the Olympics, which doesn't strike me as normal.
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