The Puget Sound Convergence Zone Delivers and Well-Timed Precipitation and Smart Water Manegament Keep Yakima Crops Yields High

Before I get into the Yakima Valley situation, let me note yesterday's substantial precipitation over central Puget Sound from a decent Puget Sound Convergence Zone.

Remember, Puget Sound Convergence Zones often occur after the passage of a Pacific front, when air approaching the coast turns to the west and northwest (see schematic below).  

Air moves around the Olympics and then converges over central Puget Sound, producing upward motion, clouds, and precipitation.

A very well-defined convergence zone formed yesterday afternoon, as illustrated by the radar image around 3:30 PM.

The precipitation totals for the past days show a nice band of precipitation around the central Sound, with particularly heavy rain in the mountains (reaching 2 inches!).   

Very good for Seattle's reservoirs,  which got a large hit of rain yesterday.

The Spada Lake reservoir, which supplies the North Sound area, is filled to above normal now.

Another interesting precipitation story has been the Yakima Valley.    

After all the angst in the media about drought and low snowpack, there was sufficient water for Yakima agriculture, with all important crops of good quality and with near-normal harvests.

How cold this be with a low snowpack?   

Annual precipitation was near normal due to heavy winter precipitation, so reservoirs were filled to normal or above normal levels.    The summer was not particularly hot.

And then there was was divine intervention

There was substantial precipitation over the Yakima Basin during the summer and autumn (see below).  

Just stunning.   

With substantial precipitation,  all water limitations have been removed in the Yakima Valley.  Both senior and junior rights folks can receive their full water allotment!

Sometimes when meteorologists pray to the weather gods, our supplications are answered.