Saturday Night Live

Saturday, December 30, 2006


FORECAST -

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows around 30. Northeast wind 10 mph...except east wind 15 to 25 mph near the gorge.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs 40 to 45. Light wind...except east wind 15 mph near the gorge.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows around 30. Southeast wind 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 30 mph near the gorge.

New years day: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs 40 to 45. East wind 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 30 mph near the gorge.

OUTCAST -

There is still time for you to send a nomination to the National Weather Service
Office in Seattle to name the December 14 wind storm. The NWS has received
nearly 3,000 entries with most from western Washington but some from as far
away as Ontario Canada. There is a committee of three persons using internal
guidelines to go through the entries. There may be multiple nominations so the
first entry submitted may be the winner. The Seattle office will officially use the
selected name in the record books in regards to the wind storm. The contest has
received National attention and the winner will be invited to the Seattle office
for presentation of an award. Ted Buehner of the NWS says that the committee
is having fun with this process, though the number of nominations has become
overwhelming.  “We were hoping to announce a winner the week of Jan 8, but
the volume of entries may postpone that a bit.” Send your entry by January 4,
2007 to: namethewindstorm@noaa.gov


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 10:44 PM,


Long Holiday Weekend

Friday, December 29, 2006

The last weekend of the year is upon us and a holiday to boot. President Bush added Tuesday as well as a Federal Holiday for the National Day of Mourning for President Ford. A long weekend for some folks. The weather will remain fairly quiet with some changes coming next week.

NOWCAST - Partly cloudy over the weekend with cool temperatures with some fog in wind sheltered locations. Otherwise pretty quiet with low chance of measurable rainfall. A few sprinkles fell Friday but nothing measurable, just trace amounts.

FORECAST - Tonight: Mostly cloudy. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs 40 to 45. East wind 5 to 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 25 mph near the gorge.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 30. East wind 5 to 10 mph...except east wind 15 to 25 mph near the gorge.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Highs 40 to 45. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows around 30. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 30 mph near the gorge.

OUTCAST - The photo here shows the picture earlier this week before the big snowstorm this week. Last week Colorado experienced 2-3 feet of snow just before Christmas when everyone was traveling to visit. Now, this weekend when everyone is trying to go home two feet of snow is forecast from the latest storm. Denver airport was barely running Friday and expected to close once again. gads! This is gonna be the snowiest December ever in that area. Two big snowstorms back to back. The following are snowfall reports over 2 feet (24 inches) from Colorado this evening. Genesee, CO: 30.0", Near Golden, CO: 29.4", Evergreen, CO: 28.0" and Bergen Park, CO: 25.0"

From Fox News:

CRAWFORD, Texas — President Bush and first lady Laura Bush were moved to an armored vehicle on their ranch Friday when a tornado warning was issued in central Texas, the White House said.

The vehicle was driven to a tornado shelter on the ranch, and the president, Mrs. Bush and their two Scottish terriers sat inside until the weather cleared, deputy White House press secretary Scott Stanzel said. They were never moved into the shelter, he said.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 2:34 p.m. CST after a severe thunderstorm with a history of producing tornadoes was reported 13 miles south of Clifton, Texas, and moving northeast. Clifton is 20 miles northwest of Crawford.


OFF TOPIC - First off, there may be some interruptions with my server this weekend where this blog will not be available. Please try again if you do not connect. Secondly, I won't ramble on today off topic much because this has been a busy week and the end of the year is winding down and lots of thoughts are going through my mind so I will have lots to say as we enter the new year. I will be glad to finally get back in some sort of a routine after the holidays. I like many, seen to function better in the daily routine of life. Having a fairly predictable schedule is nice and one can plan accordingly. The holidays are a nice break from the mundane but just like after a long trip, arriving back home is always nice.

Enjoy the weekend!

MY Quote of the Day - "The older I get, it always seems like I get somewhere faster than before." - Pat Timm



-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:51 PM,


It Feels Alot Like Winter

Thursday, December 28, 2006




Lots of frost early Thursday morning as overnight lows were in the 20's. Morning fog gave way to sunny skies in the afternoon but it sure felt like winter!



NOWCAST - Looks like little chance of rain until next year with mostly fair skies through the weekend. A weak weather system will move through over the weekend but rain is not likely at this point. Stormy weather returns next week with low snow levels so stay tuned.

FORECAST - Tonight: Mostly clear. Patchy fog after midnight away from the gorge. Lows 25-30. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Near the gorge...east wind 15 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 35 mph after midnight.

Friday: Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning away from the gorge. Highs 40 to 45. East wind 5 to 15 mph. Near the gorge...east wind 25 to 35 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 35. Light wind...except east wind 10 to 15 mph near the gorge.

Saturday: Partly sunny. Highs 40 to 45. East wind 5 to 10 mph.


OUTCAST - In case we go on snow watch in the near future and that majestic figure of 500 feet appears in the forecast, here are some rough elevations for our local area:

City MSL (feet)
City MSL (feet)
Washougal 65'
Camas 150'
Fern Prairie 459'
Proebstel 270'
Sifton 220'
Orchards 230'
Hockinson 305'
Battleground 295'
Brush Prairie 293'
Vancouver (downtown) 50'
Lake Shore 210'
Vancouver (mall) 70'
Hazel Dell 150'
Vancouver (Pearson) 30'
Felida 206'
Dollar Corner 225'
Ridgefield 100'
Amboy 400'
Yacolt 710'
Highland 809'
Woodland 25'
La Center 110'
Meadow Glade 280'
Venersborg 504'
Heisson 430'
Lucia 540'
Scappoose 61'
St. Helens 73'
Scappoose (airport) 55'
West St. Helens 111'
Deer Island, OR 40'
Kalama 210'
Prescott, OR 25'
Carrolls 50'
Rainier, OR 24'
Kelso 80'
Alston, OR 414'
Longview 21'
Clatskanie, OR 135'
Ostrander Creek 80'
Quincy, OR 18'
Castle Rock 50'
Marshland, OR 53'
Silver Lake 520'
Kerry, OR 120'
Oak Point, WA 348'
Wauna, OR 16'
Cathlamet 53'


Elevations for selected Locations
Hill/Landmark MSL (feet)
Hill/Landmark MSL (feet)
Devils Peak 1,803'
Mt Pleasant 1,499'
Green Mountain 804'
Lackamas Lake ~125'
Livingston Mountain 1,948'
Yacolt Mountain 1,774'
Elkhorn Mountain 2,225'
Vancouver Lake 18'
Lake Merwin 239'
Silver Lake 484'
Prune Hill 500-600'







OFF TOPIC - You may have been hearing recently about the fate of the polar bears that live in the far north. At the rate of the melt of the polar ice cap, experts predict in 40 years the waters will be open and will cause many of the bears to perish and dwindle away to nothing. Officials are discussing whether to list these animals as endangered and come up with some sort of solution to the problem. Global warming is the cause and mankind is creating the cause and effect according to many. Yes the earth is warming but does man really cause world-wide warm up? What about climate changes in the past before man dominated the planet? I think I may have discovered the real reason these bears are disappearing. I was at the movies today and of course I watched the Coke commercial they always show and you know this one. The young penguin hands a bottle of Coca Cola to the young polar bear and all of a sudden everyone is happy. But I got to tell you, these are large bears and they probably down at least a two liter bottle at a time and multiply that by all those crazy Coke drinking penguins and . . . well this is a no brainer folks. Then I remember back to all those Coke commercials those bears have been drinking that stuff for decades. It is finally catching up with them. Perhaps it renders them sterile or their teeth rot out from decay and they cannot chew their food and they starve. Or perhaps the sugar gets to their liver. Who really knows? I think the bottlers of 7-UP need to intervene here. What the north pole really needs is the UNCOLA! What may be good for the penguin population may not be good for the polar bears.

On the other hand, Coke must be boosting the penguin population, every time we see video of them their pilgrimage threads for miles. There are so many of these birds they look like an eternal row of dominoes waiting to fall. Even when they linger in the water and a sea lion grabs one , he just burps it back up they are so full of fizz. They are thriving thanks to Coke. The poor polar bears need help alright, but not by the US Government. Come on 7- UP, the north pole is calling you! Yes, the UNCOLA on ice!

MY Quote of the Day - "What appears to be lost may offer an opportunity to be found." -Pat Timm


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:37 PM,


Rain and Snow pelts Northwest

Wednesday, December 27, 2006


Any where from a trace upwards of three inches fell in some areas of Puget Sound early Wednesday. From Shelton through Olympia north to Seattle and Everett and over to the Cascade foothills.

NOWCAST - A deformation zone set up behind the cold front that moved through the state Sunday and pulled cold north winds down which lowered snow levels in the heavier showers to the surface. The snow fell as far south as Olympia. Some communities had three inches of snow on the ground early today. Warmer temperatures and rain showers melted most of it later in the day. Rain fell in other ares with 1-2 inches in Clark County and 6-10 inches in southern Oregon. It looks like our weather will settle down for the rest of this year with a split flow in the jet stream weakening incoming storms. So, just some clouds, a chance of showers and seasonal temperatures through the weekend. Fog at night with frost may occur as well.

FORECAST - Tonight: Clearing skies and frosty. Areas of fog forming late. Lows 25-30. Calm winds.

Thursday: Some low clouds or fog in the morning with black ice and slippery streets, then mostly sunny. Highs around 40. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Near the gorge...light wind becoming east 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday night: Mostly clear in the evening...then mostly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows around 30. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Near the gorge...east wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph after midnight.

Friday: Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs 40 to 45. East wind 10 to 20 mph.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Lows around 35. East wind 5 to 10 mph...except east wind 15 to 25 mph near the gorge.

OUTCAST -

Did you know that the state of Washington is among the nation’s top states where Presidential weather-related disasters are declared? I had several requests to include the list again so here you go. According to the National Weather Service office in Seattle, the following were the top ten weather events last century.

  1. October 12, 1962, Columbus day Wind Storm: It was the strongest widespread non-hurricane windstorm to strike the continental U.S. in the 20th century.
  2. May/June 1948, Greatest Spring Snowmelt Flooding: This includes the Vanport Flood in the Vancouver/Portland area and numerous high water marks around the Evergreen state were established. The flooding lasted for 45 days.
  3. January 13, 1950, The January 1950 Blizzard: 21.4 inches of snow fell in Seattle with winds of 40 mph, which claimed 13 lives. Some low elevations in western Washington had 50 inches of snow over several days.
  4. August 20-September 9, 1910, Massive Forest Fires: Occurred in eastern Washington with three million acres of timber scorched. 85 people died including 72 firefighters.
  5. May 18, 1980, Eruption of Mt. St. Helens: Ash fell like snow drifting as deep as two feet with over 60 lives lost.
  6. March 1, 1910, Stevens Pass Avalanche: The deadliest avalanche in U.S. history occurred near Stevens Pass claiming 96 lives.
  7. April 5, 1972, Deadliest Tornado Outbreak: Tornadoes struck Vancouver killing six, in Spokane and also one in Stevens County.
  8. February 1996, Widespread Flooding: record flooding in many areas with three deaths.
  9. January/February 1916, Seattles Greatest Snowstorm: Seattle’s record 24-hour snowfall occurred with 21.5 inches and received 58 inches during January and February.
  10. November 1990, Statewide Flooding: Wide spread flooding caused $250 million in damage and killed two persons. The I-90 bridge over Lake Washington sank.

OFF TOPIC - Another president has departed us with the news that President Gerald Ford died at the age of 93 years on Tuesday. He lived a long good life reaching the office of President without even trying. Or did he? In past interviews he says his goal in life was to be Speaker of the House which he succeeded. As far as he was concerned at that point, he had done what he wanted to achieve in life. But life had other plans to use him. Next came the VP job after Agnew resigned, then the Presidency after Nixon resigned. Wow! I bet he never expected that. But he stood up to the challenge and spoke the truth and did what he thought was best even at risking his own career. But remember, he had already reached his goals. You never know what life is going to throw at you. Are you still striving to reach your goals? Have you made any goals? Would you be ready and willing to accept the challenge of an unexpected offer of greatness? With the new year upon us, it is a good time to reflect on our past, look forward to the future and discover our possibilities. Aim high and be ready for the next turn in your life. You may be offered a chance without even trying.

MY Quote of the Day - "By looking at the past we have a chance for the future." - Pat Timm





-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:49 PM,


Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 25, 2006






Merry Christmas to you and yours! May you have a blessed day with the gift of life.





FORECAST - Today: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs around 45. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows around 35. East wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday: Rain at times. Highs around 45. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph...except east wind 15 to 30 mph near the gorge.

Tuesday night: Rain. Lows 35 to 40. East wind 10 to 15 mph.


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 9:30 AM,


The Day Before Christmas and all Through the Skies . . . .

Sunday, December 24, 2006


As you can see another large storm is heading our way with rain falling at 9 am with the associated warm front. The cold front will move through this evening with more rain and winds.




NOWCAST - Rain today and breezy then a chance of showers Christmas Day. Another storm on Tuesday. Kind of same old, same old stuff.


FORECAST - Today: Rain at times. Highs 40 to 45. Southeast wind increasing to 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon...except east wind 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph near the gorge.

Tonight: Rain in the evening then showers likely. Lows around 40. Southeast wind 15 to 25 mph except east 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph near the gorge early...becoming south 15 to 25 mph..decreasing after midnight..

Christmas day: Showers likely. Highs around 45. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Monday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows around 35. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

OUTCAST - The National Weather Service request to name the December 14 storm has gone national and is on all the press wires and even national TV. I think they will get a flood of names from not only Washington state but across the nation. I'm still thinking about my entry and so should you! "We need a catchy name," said Ted Buehner, with the National Weather Service. "People will remember this storm for years to come." "This event needs a name," Buehner said. "We've been busting our heads and nothing comes out so we thought we'd go to all the talent in the community. I have a feeling someone out there will come up with a name to grab attention."
Reminds me of that movie with Harrison Ford K-19 The Widowmaker. Someone was a traitor aboard and the captains says, " I WANT A NAME!" Gotta love it. Stay tuned.


OFF TOPIC - I won't write much here today as I know everyone is busy making last minute preparations for tonight and tomorrow. Running errands, those last gifts to buy, the ham to pick up, the Christmas pastry to pick up, the Christmas Eve service. Busy, Busy. Busy! And in just hours, it all will be over. The day that is but the memories you create and hold dear will last forever. Remembering the real reason for the season and enjoying family and close friends are really precious moments. I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a great time of togetherness. I hope you will not spend this time alone.

MY Quote of the Day - "To have and hold is nice, but to give and forget is better." - Pat Timm



-- posted by Pat Timm @ 9:28 AM,


No Friday Surprise

Friday, December 22, 2006


This photo was sent to me Thursday from our friends in Centennial, Colorado. I know they will have a white Christmas. I am jealous!



NOWCAST - No surprises in the weather today as we were between weather systems and skies were mostly fair after some low clouds and fog. I thought we would have a bit more clearing in the early morning hours but all in all not too bad. It was chilly however. The next weather system rolls in later tonight for periods of rain and showers Saturday. Then another on Sunday and showers Christmas Day. That should be the pattern for the next 7-10 days, rain, showers, clearing etc.

FORECAST - Tonight: Cloudy. Rain after midnight. Lows 35 to 40. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph...except east wind increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph near the gorge.

Saturday: Rain in the morning...then showers in the afternoon. Highs around 45. South wind 10 to 20 mph.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening...then a slight chance of showers after midnight. Lows 30 to 35. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.

OUTCAST - The Seattle Office of the National Weather Service is having a contest to name the wind storm of December 14 and 15. Any ideas? Here is what they have to say. Good luck!~

"We and many others in our community are struggling to 'name' the big Dec 14 and 15 wind storm we just experienced. Several other big wind storms we've had in the past happened to fall on a significant day or had something distinctive happen such as the Inauguration Day Wind Storm of 1993, the Turkey Day Storm of 1983, or the Hood Canal Wind Storm of 1979.

So, what do we call this big blow? We would like to tap the creative minds of our community to help us 'name this wind storm' . We have created an email address for you to submit your 'name the wind storm' nominations through Jan 4, 2007.

We are not permitted to offer a big prize, but we will announce the winner shortly after the Jan 4th entry deadline via our web site at weather.gov/seattle. The winner will be able to say, "I named that storm!"

So, use namethewindstorm@noaa.gov to help us name the wind storm!

National Weather Service - Seattle/Tacoma



OFF TOPIC - You ever wonder why you have to wait for things? Wait for traffic signals, wait in check out lines, wait for food and other services. I dashed in today at Panda Express to have my usual and they were out of my favorite dish so I had to WAIT for eight minutes. And I thought this was fast food. Perhaps I was destined to wait to avoid being somewhere else at the wrong time. Or perhaps by waiting here I didn't have to wait somewhere else for something. Perhaps I avoided an accident scene or whatever. Our lives have destiny and we have no ultimate control of what falls our way. So can we change things before they happen by waiting and going with the flow? Or should we rush and try to make things happen? Makes you think. What if, what if, what if. In the mean time I guess I will just wait and see what tomorrow brings.

MY Quote of the Day - "Out and about I feel alive with the world." - Pat Timm


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:05 PM,


Keep Those Comments Coming

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Just to clarify a couple of things. The comments that will be thrown in the hat for the drawing for this free calendar include ALL comments posted between December 17 through December 31 not just those on the calendar posting. Also, be sure and read last Sunday's post and leave a comment for a chance to win a neat 2007 weather calendar. If you don't send me your contact info, be sure and check back here on January 2, 2007 to see if the name you left on your comment is a winner. If you just sign the comment anonymous, I have no way of awarding the calendar if someone else signs their comment with that also. At least a first name would be nice, if you want to remain anonymous to the web site at least click send me a message under my photo and let me know who you are when you leave a comment. Clear as mud right? Happy weather watching! - Pat


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 8:57 PM,


Light at the End of the Tunnel


The winter solstice occurred at 4:22 pm today and marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, sun and -stitium, a stoppage. We can look for the days to begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.

NOWCAST - A band of moderate to heavy showers moved through the local area this evening with scattered thunder and ice pellets reported. Skies will clear Friday before another storm with wind and rain rolls inland. Christmas looks to be green, wet, and breezy here in the lowlands. Hey, with the afternoon sunshine and brief south winds temperatures in many areas hit 50 degrees for a short while today.

FORECAST -

Tonight: Showers with possible thunder. Lows around 30-35 with possible icy streets early. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light after midnight.

Friday: Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs around 45. Light wind. Near the gorge, southeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to east 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: Cloudy. Rain likely after midnight. Lows around 35. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, except east wind 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph near the gorge.

OFF TOPIC - I suppose by now you probably heard about the 56 year old woman who placed her infant grandson in a plastic basket and ran him through the Los Angeles airport security x-ray machine. This leads me to think how in the world could something happen like this. Fortunately, the child was okay. People sometimes do not think or perhaps they don't understand or perhaps the situation at hand gets to them. I guess we may never know the rest of the story. I confess I have done some crazy things in life we all have some funny and some best we forget and never bring up again. Keep it as one of those skeletons in our closet so to speak. I remember when as a youngster, my father and I built a carport using corrugated aluminum panel for the roof. We used nails with rubber washers but it always seem to leak when it rained. So my dad being the handyman he was thought if he coated the roofing with a thick rubbery paint, it would seal everything up just fine. Well, one summer day he did just that. A couple of months later when the rainy season began the carport was leaking just as before. But this time it was dripping with an awful turquoise color paint that he coated the roof with. It dripped down on our new car every time it rained and it was terrible to get off. Evidently my father used a latex based paint. The family never let him forget that although he got a bit angry whenever we brought it up. If we had the media news like we do now, he most likely would have made Bill O'Reily or Brian Williams for sure.

MY Quote of the Day - "Good things take time and some times are good." - Pat Timm


OUTCAST - 
2006 WESTERN WASHINGTON WEATHER YEAR IN REVIEW
 
THE YEAR WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY ONE OF THE MOST SUNNY AND DRY SUMMERS
EVER REMEMBERED SANDWICHED BY A WET JANUARY AND A STORMY WET AND
EVENTFUL FALL. THERE WERE EIGHT DIRECT WEATHER-RELATED DEATHS IN
WESTERN WASHINGTON...THE MOST FATALITIES SINCE 1997. THERE WERE ALSO
NINE INDIRECT FATALITIES ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE MID DECEMBER WIND
STORM. WEATHER RELATED PROPERTY DAMAGES TOTALED ABOUT $17.4 MILLION
THROUGH OCTOBER. THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER TOTALS WERE NOT YET
AVAILABLE AND WILL LIKELY BE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.

THE YEAR BEGAN WITH ONE OF THE WETTEST JANUARY EVER ON RECORD.
SEATTLE RECORDED 27 STRAIGHT DAYS OF MEASURABLE PRECIPITATION. THE
HEAVY AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL PRODUCED SOME FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES. THE
WET JANUARY WAS FOLLOWED BY A STRONG WIND STORM IN EARLY FEBRUARY...
KNOCKING POWER OUT TO 265000 CUSTOMERS AND CLOSED THE EVERGREEN
POINT FLOATING BRIDGE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS DUE TO HIGH
WINDS.

THE SUMMER WAS ONE OF THE DRIEST AND SUNNIEST IN MEMORY...EXTENDING
FROM MID JUNE THROUGH MID SEPTEMBER. THERE WERE TWO HEAT WAVES
DURING THE SUMMER...THE FIRST ON JUNE 25 AND 26...AND THE NEXT
FROM JULY 20-22. OLYMPIA HAD THEIR FOURTH WARMEST TEMPERATURE EVER
RECORDED WITH 101 DEGREES ON JULY 21ST.

THEN THERE WAS THIS FALL AND THE NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER. THE MONTH
BEGAN WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL RESULTING IN WIDESPREAD MAJOR
FLOODING AND SOME LANDSLIDES. TWELVE RIVERS REACHED ALL-TIME RECORD
HIGH FLOOD CREST LEVELS. THE FLOODING WAS FOLLOWED BY A PAIR OF WIND
STORMS THAT POUNDED THE NORTHERN PORTIONS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
KNOCKING DOWN HUNDREDS OF TREES ONTO ROADS...POWER LINES AND HOMES
FROM THE NORTH COAST TO WHATCOM COUNTY...AND DISRUPTING POWER TO
OVER 120000 CUSTOMERS.  THE MONTH FINISHED WITH A PERIOD OF COLD
WEATHER AND LOWLAND SNOW. SOME NORTHERN LOCATIONS GOT MORE THAN A
FOOT OF SNOW. AND TO TOP IT OFF...SEATTLE HAD THE MOST RAIN IN ONE
MONTH EVER SINCE RECORDS BEGIN IN THE REGION IN 1891 WITH 15.63
INCHES AT SEATAC AIRPORT.  NWS SEATTLE ALSO CRUSHED ITS ALL-TIME
RECORD OF MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH 714. IT WAS QUITE A MONTH.

ALL OF THIS WAS FOLLOWED IN MID DECEMBER BY THE STRONGEST WIND STORM
TO STRIKE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SINCE THE INAUGURATION DAY STORM OF
1993. WINDS OF UP TO 90 MPH ON THE COAST AND 70 MPH IN THE INTERIOR
BLEW DOWN THOUSANDS OF TREES...KNOCKED POWER OUT TO CLOSE TO 1.5
MILLION CUSTOMERS AND RESULTED IN FOUR DIRECT FATALITIES FROM FALLEN
TREES AND ONE DROWNING IN A HOME. NINE OTHERS DIED AS A RESULT OF
INDIRECT CAUSES FOLLOWING THE STORM...PRIMARILY FROM CARBON DIOXIDE
POISONING FROM GAS GENERATORS OR GRILLS IN HOMES.

THE OTHER WEATHER-RELATED FATALITIES DURING THE YEAR INVOLVED A
5-YEAR OLD GIRL STRUCK BY A TREE LIMB NEAR LAKE WHATCOM DURING A
BLUSTERY JANUARY DAY...AN AVALANCHE FATALITY ON MT BAKER IN APRIL
AND TWO DROWNINGS ALONG THE COWLITZ RIVER DURING THE EARLY NOVEMBER
FLOODS...THE FIRST FLOOD FATALITIES THIS CENTURY.

THERE WERE TWO BRIEF TORNADOES THIS YEAR...CLOSE TO THE STATES
AVERAGE OF BETWEEN ONE AND TWO TORNADOES PER YEAR.

OTHER WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:

- SEVERAL OTHER WIND STORMS OCCURRED DURING THE WINTER AND FALL
KNOCKING OUT POWER TO THOUSANDS AND TOPPLING HUNDREDS OF TREES.
- COASTAL FLOODING ALSO OCCURRED DURING THE EARLY FEBRUARY WIND
STORM ALONG THE COAST AND NORTH INTERIOR COASTLINE.
- THE EARLY NOVEMBER FLOODS DAMAGED ROADS...TRAILS AND CAMPGROUNDS
THROUGHOUT MUCH OF MT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK...CLOSING THE PART UNTIL
FURTHER NOTICE.

FOR THE YEAR...TEMPERATURES IN WESTERN WASHINGTON FINISHED THE YEAR
LESS THAN ONE DEGREE ABOVE AVERAGE...WHILE PRECIPITATION WILL FINISH
ABOUT 5 TO 10 INCHES ABOVE AVERAGE PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE QUITE
WET MONTHS OF JANUARY AND NOVEMBER.

WARM EL NINO CONDITIONS IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN TROPICAL WATERS
ARE EXPECTED TO STEER THE PACIFIC STORM TRACK SOUTH INTO CALIFORNIA
BY THE END OF THE YEAR...QUITE TYPICAL FOR AN EL NINO EVENT.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

TORNADOES/WATERSPOUTS/FUNNEL CLOUDS

1/28 - 5 SE OF LACEY - THURSTON COUNTY
A F0 TORNADO WAS ON THE GROUND FOR A HALF MILE IN LESS THAN 2
MINUTES WITH NO DAMAGE.

6/6 -  3 E OF SULTAN - SNOHOMISH COUNTY
A F0 TORNADO BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN NEAR US HWY 2 WITH NO DAMAGE.

10/29 - KIRKLAND - KING COUNTY
A FUNNEL CLOUD WAS SPOTTED FOR A FEW MINUTES.

HAIL

3/10 - REDMOND - KING COUNTY
ONE INCH DIAMETER HAIL BRIEFLY FELL IN REDMOND.

4/15 - MARYSVILLE - SNOHOMISH COUNTY
ONE INCH DIAMETER HAIL BRIEFLY FELL IN MARYSVILLE.

HIGH WINDS

1/1 - CENTRAL COAST
STRONG WINDS WITH GUSTS UP TO 52 MPH KNOCKED POWER OUT TO ABOUT
2500 CUSTOMERS IN GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY AND CAUSED ABOUT $20000
IN DAMAGE.

1/7 - WHATCOM COUNTY
NEAR LAKE WHATCOM...AN OLD TREE LIMB FELL ONTO A 5 YEAR OLD GIRL
DURING BLUSTERY WINDS OF UP TO 23 MPH...KILLING HER.

1/31 - NORTH COAST AND WHATCOM COUNTY
STRONG WINDS OF UP TO 60 MPH KNOCKED POWER TO ABOUT 10000
CUSTOMERS AROUND FORKS AND BELLINGHAM. THREE CARS WERE DAMAGED BY
FALLEN TREES WITH ABOUT $40000 IN DAMAGE.

2/3-4 - MUCH OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
WIDESPREAD STRONG DAMAGING WINDS OF UP TO 68 MPH KNOCKED OUT
POWER TO ABOUT 265000 CUSTOMERS TRHOUGHOUT THE REGION. THE HOOD
CANAL BRIDGE CLOSED DURING THE EVENT AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 7
YEARS...THE EVERGREEN POINT FLOATING BRIDGE CLOSED. FERRY SERVICE
WAS ALSO INTERRUPTED. A FEW ROOFS BLEW OFF WHILE MANY MORE ROOFS
WERE DAMAGED BY FALLEN TREES WITH ONE MAN IN TUMWATER INJURED WHEN A
TREE FELL ONTO HIS HOME. TOTAL DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT $7.5 MILLION.

2/10 - CENTRAL COAST AND CENTRAL CASCADE FOOTHILLS
STRONG EAST WINDS OF UP TO 53 MPH KNOCKED POWER OUT TO MORE THAN
4000 CUSTOMERS. TREES FELL ON SEVERAL HOMES AND FENCES WERE BLOWN
DOWN. DAMAGES WERE ESTIMATED AT $105000.

2/17 - CENTRAL CASCADE FOOTHILLS/TACOMA AREA AND SOUTHWEST INTERIOR
STRONG EASTERLY WINDS OF UP TO 54 MPH KNOCKED DOWN DOZEN OF TREES
ONTO HOMES AND VEHICLES AS WELL AS ROADS. ONE COUNTY ROAD WORKER
SUFFERED SERIOUS LEG INJURIES BY A FALLING TREE. SEVERAL ROADS WERE
CLOSED DUE TO FALLEN TREES. MORE THAN 60000 CUSTOMERS LOST POWER.
ANDERSON ISLAND FERRY SERVICE WAS DISRUPTED SINCE THE AUTO RAMP
SANK. TOTAL DAMAGES WERE ESTIMATED CLOSE TO $1.22 MILLION.

2/27 - STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA REGION
STRONG WESTERLY WINDS RIPPED UP PARTS OF A FEW ROOFS AND OVERTURNED
A MOBILE HOME. ABOUT 5000 CUSTOMERS LOST POWER. SCHOOLS WERE DELAYED
OR CANCELED DUE TO POWER OUTAGES. TOTAL DAMAGES WERE ESTIMATED NEAR
$100000.

3/8 - EVERETT AREA / ADMIRALTY INLET REGION AND THE CENTRAL COAST
STRONG WINDS OF UP TO 59 MPH KNOCKED POWER OUT TO ABOUT 36000
CUSTOMERS. TREES FELL ONTO ROADS OR POWER LINES WITH ONE TREE ONTO A
MONTESANO HOME. TOTAL DAMAGES WERE ESTIMATED CLOSE TO A HALF MILLION
DOLLARS.

3/23 - SOUTHWEST INTERIOR
BLUSTERY WINDS OF UP TO 35 MPH KNOCKED POWER OUT TO ABOUT 3500
CUSTOMERS IN LEWIS COUNTY. A TREE ALSO FELL ONTO A VEHICLE.
DAMAGES WERE ESTIMATED NEAR $50000.

11/12-15 - COAST AND NORTH INTERIOR
A PAIR OF STRONG WIND STORMS STRUCK THE REGION BRINGING DAMAGING
WINDS TO THE COAST AND NORTH INTERIOR REGION. WINDS OF UP TO 86 MPH
ON THE COAST AND 60 MPH IN THE INTERIOR KNOCKING DOWN HUNDREDS OF
TREES ONTO ROADS...VEHICLES AND HOMES. POWER WAS DISRUPTED FOR ABOUT
120000 CUSTOMERS. EARLY DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE.

12/14-15 - ALL OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
THE STRONGEST WIND STORM SINCE THE 1993 INAUGURATION DAY WIND STORM
STRUCK THE REGION. WIDESPREAD STRONG DAMAGING WINDS OF UP TO 90 MPH
ALONG THE COAST AND 70 MPH IN THE INTERIOR WHILE WINDS IN THE
MOUNTAINS EXCEEDED 100 MPH IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THE WINDS BLEW DOWN
THOUSANDS OF TREES AND KNOCKED POWER OUT CLOSE TO 1.5 MILLION
CUSTOMERS. POWER UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE SUFFERED DAMAGED MAJOR
TRANSMISSION LINES...POWER POLES AND POWER LINES. FERRY AND RAIL
SERVICE WAS DISRUPTED. DOZENS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS CLOSED AS A RESULT
OF STORM DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES. ONE TO TWO INCHES OF HEAVY
RAINFALL FELL IN PARTS OF THE REGION JUST PRIOR TO THE WINDS
PRODUCING AREAS OF URBAN FLOODING. THERE WERE FOUR FATALITIES AS A
DIRECT RESULT OF THE STORM. THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY FALLEN TREES
AND ONE PERSON IN SEATTLE DROWNED WHEN THEIR BASEMENT FILLED WITH
RAIN RUNOFF. ANOTHER NINE PEOPLE DIED FOLLOWING THE STORM INCLUDING
ONE WHO STEPPED ON A DOWNED LIVE POWER LINE...ANOTHER IN A CANDLE
STARTED HOUSE FIRE AND THE REMAINDER FROM CARBON DIOXIDE POISONING
AS PEOPLE ATTEMPTED TO POWER OR HEAT THEIR HOMES WITHOUT POWER WITH
GAS GENERATORS OR BARBECUE GRILLS. EARLY DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE NOT
YET AVAILABLE BUT ARE EXPECTED TO BE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.

WINTER STORMS

11/25-30 - MUCH OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
A PERIOD OF COLD WEATHER MOVED INTO THE REGION. SNOW FELL ACROSS
THE NORTHERN THIRD OF THE AREA EARLY IN THE PERIOD WITH SOME AREAS
GETTING BETWEEN ONE AND TWO FEET OF SNOW. ANOTHER SNOW EVENT ADDED
A FEW INCHES OF SNOW THROUGH MUCH OF THE REST OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PERIOD AND FINISHED WITH A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET
AND FREEZING RAIN LATE ON THE 29TH AND EARLY ON THE 30TH. EARLY
DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE.

AVALANCHE

4/18 - NEAR MT BAKER SKI AREA
A BACK COUNTRY SKIER TRIGGERED AN AVALANCHE THAT BURIED HIM FATALLY.

FLOODS/HEAVY RAIN/MUDSLIDES

01/5-14 - NORTHERN AND CENTRAL WESTERN WASHINGTON
A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE REGION PRODUCED A NUMBER OF
LANDSLIDES. INTERSTATE 5 WAS CLOSED NEAR THE PIERCE/THURSTON COUNTY
LINE...SR 20 NEAR CONCRETE...SR 107 NEAR RAYMOND...SR 166 NEAR PORT
ORCHARD AND RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN EVERETT AND OLYMPIA. IN KING
COUNTY...19 ROADS WERE CLOSED FROM HIGH WATER AND MANY HOMES
SUFFERED FLOODED BASEMENTS OR CRAWLSPACES. THE GOVERNOR DECLARED A
STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE REGION. TOTAL DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE CLOSE
TO $7 MILLION.

1/28-30 - CLALLAM AND THURSTON COUNTIES
HEAVY RAINFALL OF UP TO 3 INCHES IN THE WAKE OF AN EXTENDED PERIOD
OF WET WEATHER FOR NEARLY A MONTH...RESULTED IN LANDSLIDES AT 8
LOCATIONS ALONG SR 112 WEST OF PORT ANGELES...TWO FEET OF WATER IN
THE LOWER PART OF THE PORT ANGELES HARBOR TOWN HALL AND A HALF DOZEN
OLYMPIA AREA HOMES HAD FLOODED BASEMENTS. TOTAL DAMAGE ESTIMATES
WERE CLOSE TO $330000.

2/4 - NORTH INTERIOR AND CENTRAL COAST
A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND HIGH TIDES PRODUCED COASTAL
FLOODING FOR LOW LYING AREAS IN BELLINGHAMS WATERFRONT...GOOSEBERRY
AND SANDY POINTS AND IN GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY. DRIFTWOOD AND LOGS
ALONG WITH WATER FLOODED OR DAMAGED MANY HOMES...BOATS AND PROPERTY.
TOTAL DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE ABOUT A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

11/2-7 - MUCH OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
A STRONG WARM AND VERY WET PACIFIC WEATHER SYSTEM BROUGHT COPIOUS
AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL TO THE REGION...GENERATING WIDESPREAD MAJOR
FLOODING. RAIN AMOUNTS OF 10 TO 38 INCHES FELL IN THE CASCADES AND
OLYMPICS WHILE 4 TO 10 INCHES FELL IN THE LOWLANDS. NEARLY EVERY
RIVER EXCEEDED FLOOD STAGE WITH 12 RIVERS REACHING ALL-TIME RECORD
FLOOD CREST LEVELS. LANDSLIDES OCCURRED IN SOME AREAS AS WELL...THE
MOST NOTABLE WAS IN THE PRESTON AREA OF EAST KING COUNTY. MT RAINIER
NATIONAL PARK SUFFERED FLOOD DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE PARK...INCLUDING
ROADS...CAMPGROUNDS AND TRAILS...CLOSING THE PARK UNTIL FURTHER
NOTICE. EARLY TOTAL TWO MEN WERE KILLED IN THEIR VEHICLES IN LEWIS
COUNTY ALONG THE FLOODING COWLITZ RIVER. EARLY DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE
NOT YET AVAILABLE BUT ARE EXPECTED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL.

HEAT

5/26-27 - WESTERN WASHINGTON
TWO HEAT WAVES OCCURRED DURING THE YEAR...FROM JUNE 25-26 AND JULY
20-22. THE WARMEST READINGS WERE DURING THE MID JULY EVENT WITH MANY
HIGH TEMPERATURES REACHING INTO THE 90S IN MANY LOCATIONS. OLYMPIA
SET A NEW DAILY RECORD WITH 101 DEGREES ON JUL 21ST...THE FOURTH
WARMEST TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED THERE.

Complied by the National Weather Service Office in Seattle.


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 8:05 PM,


Neither Rain nor Snow nor Sleet nor Hail . . . .

Wednesday, December 20, 2006



The cold air layer was deep enough over the metro area this morning for a brief bout of sleet before changing to plain old rain. The east winds were so strong that most of the moisture evaporated before moving up the gorge so only spotty icing and then very very light.

NOWCAST - As the cold front moved through today rainfall amounts were generally around a tenth of an inch or so including some light sleet. As you can see from the graphic above, sleet is basically rain that falls through a very cold layer of air and freezes before reaching the ground. As the layer erodes, freezing rain can occur if surface temperatures are 32 degrees or lower. By that time, most of the county was above freezing and we just had a very cold rain . My high today was only 35 degrees after a low of 27 degrees. Vancouver only reached 37 degrees as of 5 pm. More rain tonight, scattered showers tomorrow and warmer. Christmas looks wet with seasonal temperatures for the highs. As of 8 pm this evening the barometer was falling rapidly as the low center heads towards BC. No big winds are expected except along the coast and northwest Washington. Could be gusty overnight locally.

FORECAST - Tonight: Rain. Breezy. Lows around 35. Southeast wind 15 to 25 mph with gusts 40 mph near the Columbia gorge.

Thursday: Showers likely. Highs 40 to 45. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows around 35. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.



OUTCAST - What a blizzard today in Colorado, Wow! To read more about it click on the weather/space news on the right panel or go to http://www.wxnation.com/weatherblogs/wire/

Boy, what I would give for a blizzard right now. I told my wife this and she said, hey let's head down to Diary Queen. Oh well, probably about as close as we will get to one this year. On the positive side, the next year is only nine days away and it's a whole new ballgame. I do remember a couple of good blizzards with 40-50 mph east winds, heavy snow, and temperatures in the lower teens. The snow was blowing off the rooftops like sand and snow drifts were several feet deep. Nice dry powder. The last time we came close to that was in December 1978/January 1979. Before that, back in 1968/1969.

Before we can get that to happen we need a good deep blast of arctic air from the far north to settle in over the area. No signs of that happening any time soon. You will have to go to the mountains to get that white Christmas around here folks.

Do you know our region is still wheeling from the big windstorm last week? About 100,000 people still without power in Puget Sound and the death toll has risen to 14 people. Many of these were from carbon monoxide poisoning from running generators. "We're dealing with a carbon-monoxide epidemic in Western Washington," said Dr. Neil B. Hampson at Virginia Mason's Center for Hyperbaric Medicine. "This has the potential to be the worst case of carbon monoxide poisoning in the country."

OFF TOPIC - I took in the Star Wars exhibit at OMSI yesterday and I must say I am glad I went. To stand just a a couple of feet in front of the models, props, and costumes actually used in the filming was a memorable occasion. It was a bit of a let down to see close up at these items and knowing they were not actually futuristic as they seem in the films. Yet, it was impressive,. The droid theater was the best with an inter active display where you enter a large-scale model of the rusted-steel interior of a Jawa sandcrawler, and meett C-3PO and (via video projection) real-world robotics engineer Cynthia Breazeal, director of the Robotic Life Group, MIT Media Lab. According to OMSI, "The robot and the roboticist debate the merits of R2-D2 and how researchers try to duplicate traits such as mobility, perception and cognition." The droid sits a few feet in front of you with several other robots. It talks and moves his head and brings you right in there. Also, I took a ride in the Millennium Falcon and the visuals were actual space shots from the Hubble Space telescope ( http://hubblesite.org/ ) That was worth the trip in itself. If you go, buy your tickets online the day before and get there at 9:30 am., Oh, the holiday laser show in the planetarium was equally as good. http://www.omsi.edu/starwars/

May the force be with you!


MY Quote of the Day - "Sometimes when there are no words you can say, a hug is the next best thing." - Pat Timm


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:58 PM,


Free Calendar Update

Tuesday, December 19, 2006



Just to clarify a couple of things. The comments that will be thrown in the hat for the drawing for this free calendar include ALL comments posted since December 17 through December 31 not just those on the calendar posting. Also, be sure and read Sunday's post and leave a comment for a chance to win a neat 2007 weather calendar. If you don't send me your contact info, be sure and check back here on January 2, 2007 to see if the name you left on your comment is a winner. If you just sign the comment anonymous, I have no way of awarding the calendar if someone else signs their comment with that also. At least a first name would be nice, if you want to remain anonymous to the web site at least click send me a message under my photo and let me know who you are when you leave a comment. Clear as mud right? Happy weather watching! - Pat


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:21 PM,


Enjoy Another Fair Day


NOWCAST - High pressure continues its grip on the Pacific Northwest at least here in the Vancouver/Portland area. Some light rain was reported this morning in Puget Sound. Clouds will increase later today as another weather system tries to break down the ridge and bring us a bout of the wet stuff. With cold air trapped at the surface, there could be some spotty freezing rain but it may be above freezing Wednesday before any significant precipitation falls. The gorge will be the usual trouble spot. No snow folks, sorry. A dry day today and continued cool temperatures only near 40 degrees again. Windy in east county.


FORECAST - Today: Mostly sunny in the morning...then partly sunny. Highs 35 to 40. Southeast wind 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 30 mph near the gorge.

Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening...then mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light freezing rain. Lows 25 to 30. Southeast wind 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 25 mph near the gorge.

Wednesday: Rain with areas of light freezing rain likely in the morning.. Then rain in the afternoon with light freezing rain near the gorge. Highs 35 to 40. Southeast wind 10 mph...except east wind 25 to 30 mph near the gorge.

Wednesday night: Rain. Lows around 35. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph...except east wind 20 to 30 mph near the gorge.

OUTCAST - Be sure and read Sunday's post and leave a comment for a chance to win a neat 2007 weather calendar. If you don't send me your contact info, be sure and check back here on January 2, 2007 to see if the name you left on your comment is a winner. Vancouver USA had the honors again today with the coldest morning low of the regular reporting stations around western Washington, 21 degrees Sunday, 22 degrees Monday, and 27 degrees today. I recorded a low of 24 degrees here in Salmon Creek under clear skies. At Pearson Field they had a blanket of fog which kept the low a bit warmer. It looks like there will be NO white Christmas for us here in the lowlands this year. Christmas Day at this point looks rainy and wet. Bummer. Maybe for New Years? No significant sign of cold and snow yet but as always stay tuned.

OFF TOPIC - We live in a digital world anymore it seems, everything is going digital. It is digital this and digital that. Ever see anyone taking a picture with regular film anymore? Analog or digital? The Wikipedia explains digital as: "A digital system is one that uses discrete values (often electrical voltages), especially those representable as binary numbers, or non-numeric symbols such as letters or icons, for input, processing, transmission, storage, or display, rather than a continuous spectrum of values (ie, as in an analog system)."

You may think that digital is a new 21st century term but it actually has been around for a long, long time. Again from the Wikipedia:

"Although digital signals are generally associated with the binary electronic digital systems used in modern electronics and computing, digital systems are actually ancient, and need not be binary nor electronic.

Yes, digital is advertised as super fast, super sharp, and super smart. To me the only time years ago that I heard the word digital was when I went in for my annual physical and it was time for the DRE (digital rectal examination). Nothing keen about that one for sure. Okay, I have jumped on board with all the digital stuff and enjoy all the neat techy stuff it produces but still miss the old analog days and all the nostalgia. I still prefer a watch or clock with "hands".

The word digital comes from the same source as the word digit and the Latin word digitus for finger, remember learning to count on your fingers? Okay, I could ramble on but I see on my digital clock says (yeah, it talks too) that it is time to sign off and end this literary analog.

My Quote of the Day - "Thinking of the good old days always seem comforting, but there are some days I wouldn't want to revisit." - Pat Timm


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:54 AM,


It's Off To Work We Go!

Monday, December 18, 2006


Ah, Monday mornings aren't they grand? Actually it is the start of the work week for most folks and perhaps just another day for others. At least we had some clear skies overnight for the most part and some patchy fog . . . . and lots of frost! If you enjoyed Sunday's weather then you will be thrilled with Monday's as well!



NOWCAST - Another fair day weatherwise and Tuesday as well as weak high pressure holds. More rain in the offing later in the week. With trapped cold air in place there could be some spotty freezing rain here and there mainly gorge. Perhaps even some fresh powder on the slopes in time for the weekend. I think if we get frozen precipitation if anything, it would be brief sleet, freezing rain then rain except for gorge. No snow.

FORECAST -

Today: Mostly sunny. Highs around 40. Light wind...except east 10 mph near the gorge.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows 25 to 30. Light wind...except east wind 15 to 20 mph near the gorge.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. Highs around 40. Light wind...except east wind 15 to 25 mph near the gorge.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 30. East wind 10 mph.. Except east wind 20 to 25 mph near the gorge.


OUTCAST - If you thought it was chilly this morning and Sunday morning, it was! I recorded a low of 21 degrees Sunday and 22 degrees today. That 21 and 22 degrees were the same low measured at Pearson Field and was the coldest reporting station in western Washington both Sunday and Monday morning. Yeah Vancouver! There were a few reports of upper teens in the outlying areas of Clark County both days. Brrrrr

That snow squall that moved through our local area Friday afternoon later moved through the Salem area and we can add the following to the list of crazy events from last week:
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
    ..REMARKS..

0340 PM     TORNADO          8 NE SALEM              45.01N 122.91W
12/15/2006                   MARION             OR   PUBLIC 

    IMMEDIATELY AFTER A THUNDERSTORM WITH FREQUENT LIGHTNING
    AND SMALL HAIL A SMALL TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN AND CROSSED
    AN ACRE AND A HALF OF FLOODWATER UP TO 3 FEET DEEP AND
    SUCKED ALL OF THE WATER INTO THE FUNNEL IN AROUND 3
    SECONDS, ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD ROARING SOUND. THE TORNADO
    CONTINUED AND TWISTED A 12 INCH DIAMETER CEDAR OFF AND
    TOSSED IT INTO A NEIGHBORS OUT BARN. THEN THE TORNADO
    CHANGED DIRECTION AND PICKED UP AN RV AND THREW IT ON ITS
    SIDE.
Fun while it lasted but now we are past it!

OFF TOPIC - I was so honored to be selected TIME magazines Person of The Year for 2006 as stated in an e-mail I received from that publication over the weekend. Imagine that, me on the cover of time for all the good I do. WOW! Okay, actually according to TIME, YOU are also person of the year. Everyone is. Why? Here is a quote from their web site:

"Who are these people? Seriously, who actually sits down after a long day at work and says, I'm not going to watch Lost tonight. I'm going to turn on my computer and make a movie starring my pet iguana? I'm going to mash up 50 Cent's vocals with Queen's instrumentals? I'm going to blog about my state of mind or the state of the nation or the steak-frites at the new bistro down the street? Who has that time and that energy and that passion?

The answer is, you do. And for seizing the reins of the global media, for founding and framing the new digital democracy, for working for nothing and beating the pros at their own game, TIME's Person of the Year for 2006 is you."

Wow, thanks to the world wide web we all are heroes in a sense. It is a nice honor that we all are included but kind of takes away from those that should have been nominated that really did something significant. Depends on how you look at it anyways I guess. Rush Limbaugh really went off on a tangent today about this saying it was demeaning the notoriety of the annual award. Oh well, who has time to read TIME anyway. I am too busy with my blog and searching the world wide web. Maybe TIME has seen its time. Maybe time has run out for TIME. Thanks TIME, but maybe next time.


My Quote of the Day - "To be curious can be a good thing - but remember the cat? "- Pat Timm





-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:08 AM,


Free Weather Calendar For Your Comments!

Sunday, December 17, 2006












Would you like to have this 2007 Weather calendar absolutely free? Just leave a comment on my blog between now and December 31, 2006 and your name will go into a drawing to be held on January 1, 2007. You may comment on my posts or express your thoughts on any subject related to topics on this blog (weather or off-topic). Just click on "comment" under the post and complete the form and submit! I will even buy you a cup of coffee and deliver the calendar in person to a local Starbucks! I am looking forward to hearing from you.

- Pat Timm


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 10:08 PM,


All Quiet on the Western Front

Saturday, December 16, 2006




A couple of heavy snow showers moved through Clark County Friday leaving upwards of an inch of snow in some higher elevations. A festive site for the holiday season for sure. Traces of snow were still in some neighborhoods Saturday afternoon with chilly temperatures.




NOWCAST - Skies were mostly cloudy Saturday as a weak weather system moved inland. Not much of anything associated with this system other than a few sprinkles and snow flurries. A very benign week a head weatherwise with only weak systems affecting us later on. So, a few clouds and a little sunshine as we head into the shortest day light hours of the year and some frost and fog as well.


FORECAST - Partly Cloudy tonight and mostly sunny Sunday. Outside chance of a sprinkle or snow flurry. Lows 25-30 with frost and highs 40-45. Winds east along the river 5-20 mph. Light otherwise.

OUTCAST - I posted peak wind speeds for Oregon yesterday so here are some for Washington state.
 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
PEAK OBSERVED WINDSPEEDS AS OF 1015 AM FRIDAY MORNING...


...WASHINGTON COAST...

TATOOSH ISLAND.....................78 MPH
QUILLAYUTE.........................59 MPH
DESTRUCTION ISLAND.................81 MPH
HUMPTULLIPS........................66 MPH
OCEAN SHORES.......................73 MPH
HOQUIM.............................59 MPH  (BEFORE POWER OUTAGE)
GRAYS HARBOR.......................65 MPH


...STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA...

BUOY 88 NORTH OF DUNGENESS SPIT....67 MPH
EDIZ HOOK..........................68 MPH
PORT TOWNSEND......................44 MPH
PORT ANGELES.......................52 MPH


...NORTH INTERIOR...

FERNDALE...........................45 MPH
SANDY POINT........................60 MPH
BELLINGHAM-JUST NE.................53 MPH
BELLINGHAM.........................55 MPH
BELLINGHAM-JUST SOUTH..............41 MPH
FRIDAY HARBOR AIRPORT..............55 MPH
PADILLA BAY NEAR BURLINGTON........85 MPH
BURLINGTON AIRPORT.................55 MPH
SMITH ISLAND.......................76 MPH
COUPEVILLE.........................68 MPH


...GREATER PUGET SOUND REGION...

EVERETT............................66 MPH
PAINE FIELD-EVERETT................66 MPH
POINT NO POINT.....................51 MPH
POULSBO............................74 MPH
WOODINVILLE........................40 MPH
EVERGREEN POINT BRIDGE.............67 MPH
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON...........45 MPH
BELLEVUE-NEWCASTLE.................46 MPH
WEST POINT.........................70 MPH
BREMERTON..........................41 MPH
ALKI POINT.........................67 MPH
SEA-TAC AIRPORT....................69 MPH
POINT ROBINSON.....................71 MPH
MAPLE VALLEY.......................47 MPH
FAUNTLEROY.........................46 MPH
BLACK DIAMOND......................68 MPH
NORTH TACOMA.......................54 MPH
SHELTON AIRPORT....................55 MPH (BEFORE POWER OUTAGE)


...SOUTHWEST INTERIOR...

THURSTON...........................76 MPH
OLYMPIA AIRPORT ...................53 MPH  (BEFORE POWER OUTAGE)
CENTRALIA..........................48 MPH


...CASCADES...

KIDNEY CREEK.......................68 MPH
CHINOOK PASS......................113 MPH
SNOQUALMIE PASS....................75 MPH
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN...................85 MPH
SUNRISE...........................100 MPH
PARADISE...........................81 MPH



OFF TOPIC - Not much on my mind today so not much to discuss.
It is my daughter-in-laws birthday today so HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI!!
My Quote of the Day - "If you make a mistake, confess and move on." - Pat Timm



-- posted by Pat Timm @ 4:17 PM,


Weather Wrapup

Friday, December 15, 2006





Leaning tree tells it all. Many succumbed to the strong winds, others stripped of branches and still more weakened enough to require removal. - photo by Tyler Mode, Vancouver

NOWCAST - There is so much one could do to review the statistics and all the news from yesterday's big wind storm that I won't go into all the aftermath. Check out all the web links for more news and I'm sure you got an eyeful on the local TV news broadcast. Snow showers with hail, snow pellets, and thunder moved through today around 2 pm and made an attempt to whiten the ground in my neighborhood. Still some traces left at 5pm. Another weak low is still moving our way for Saturday and although all computer models say it will break apart, I think we could see a general snowfall of 2-4 inches if it holds together. Of course check for further updates. The wind was surely the strongest in terms of widespread damage since December 12, 1995, almost 11 years to the day! Okay, after the threat of snow Saturday, Sunday clears up and no big storms on the horizon.

FORECAST - Mostly clear tonight with frost and icy streets. Lows 25-30, slight chance of a flurry mainly over the hills. Saturday, increasing clouds early, few snow flurries late. Highs mid to upper 30's. Clearing late overnight Saturday and mostly sunny and cold on Sunday. Lows 25-30 and highs Sunday 35-40. Winds mostly easterly 5-15 gusts to 25 on Saturday afternoon.

OUTCAST - 
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
605 AM PST FRI DEC 15 2006

...WIND STORM MOVED INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BRINGING STRONG AND
DAMAGING WINDS TO NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

A VERY STRONG PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM PLOWED ACROSS THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST LAST NIGHT...BRINGING STRONG AND DAMAGING WINDS TO
NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. THE STORM BROUGHT WIDESPREAD
DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES...AND LEAVING OVER 375,000 HOMES ACROSS
SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND WESTERN OREGON WITHOUT POWER. MANY ROADS
AND HIGHWAYS WERE IMPASSABLE DUE TO DOWNED TREES.

...PEAK OBSERVED WIND SPEEDS AS OF 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING...

...COAST...
NEWPORT.........................106 MPH
ROCKAWAY BEACH...................97 MPH
GARIBALDI........................93 MPH
LINCOLN CITY.....................91 MPH
NEWPORT COURTHOUSE...............82 MPH
YAQUINA BAY BRIDGE ..............85 MPH
NEWPORT JETTY....................80 MPH
CANNON BEACH.....................79 MPH
OCEAN PARK.......................78 MPH
CAPE FOULWEATHER.................77 MPH
BAY CITY.........................76 MPH
FLORENCE.........................75 MPH
NEWPORT AIRPORT..................73 MPH
YACHATS..........................71 MPH
CLATSOP SPIT.....................71 MPH
ASTORIA AIRPORT..................69 MPH
SOUTH BEACH (NEAR NEWPORT).......68 MPH
TILLAMOOK........................66 MPH
SEA LION CAVES...................65 MPH (BEFORE POWER LOST)
DUNES RAWS.......................64 MPH
DESDEMONA LIGHT (CLATSOP SPIT)...62 MPH
OCEAN PARK.......................62 MPH
DOWNTOWN ASTORIA.................61 MPH
BAY CENTER.......................60 MPH


...COAST RANGE...
MT HEBO.........................114 MPH
ROCKHOUSE RAWS...................95 MPH
ABERNATHY MTN (SW WASHINGTON)....76 MPH
SOUTH FORK RAWS..................71 MPH
VERNONIA.........................60 MPH
BUXTON...........................60 MPH

...SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON LOWER COLUMBIA LOWLANDS...
LONGVIEW.........................60-65 MPH
KALAMA...........................45 MPH


...WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND CLARK COUNTY...
SALEM............................80 MPH
VANCOUVER........................79 MPH
PORTLAND (WEST HILLS)............65-70 MPH
BRUSH PRAIRIE....................70 MPH
PORTLAND (SOUTHEAST).............70 MPH
DALLAS...........................70 MPH
FOREST GROVE.....................70 MPH
VANCOUVER SPOTTER................63 MPH
HOCKINSON........................62 MPH
PORTLAND METRO...................62 MPH
PORTLAND (MT TABOR AREA).........60 MPH
ALOHA............................60 MPH
LEBANON..........................56 MPH
MCMINNVILLE......................56 MPH
CORVALLIS SPOTTER................55 MPH
EUGENE AIRPORT...................54 MPH
AURORA...........................54 MPH
PORTLAND AIRPORT.................53 MPH
VANCOUVER AIRPORT................50 MPH
HILLSBORO AIRPORT................46 MPH
TOLEDO...........................44 MPH


...COLUMBIA GORGE...
CORBETT..........................60 MPH


...CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS...
MT HOOD MEADOWS..................99 MPH
TIMBERLINE.......................91 MPH
BRUSH CREEK RAWS.................82 MPH
BLUE RIDGE RAWS..................81 MPH
BLUE RIDGE RAWS..................77 MPH
GOVERNMENT CAMP..................73 MPH
YELLOWSTONE MT...................71 MPH
SUGARLOAF RAWS...................70 MPH
WANDERERS PEAK (SE OF ESTACADA)..62 MPH
COLDWATER RIDGE (MT ST HELENS)...53 MPH

Reflections from one local weather observer:

What a wild last few days, wind storm last night, record high, 58 degrees, record rain,
1.15"...now...snow, oh ya and thunder. Just had a huge shower move over, looked like a blizzard with heavy snow and winds gusting to 30 mph, and there was also a rumble of thunder. Temp dropped from 43 to 33 in less than half an hour. Sun is out now, things are melting, just a nice quick shot. Yesterday at this time it was 58, 33 today. Tyler Mode

OFF TOPIC - Secret Service? I was thinking today what a world we live in and all the changes even in the last 5 or 10 years. Technology has come so far so fast. I was in Red Robin today for lunch and noticed the swift communications their wait staff has. One, the manager wears an ear piece and mic that he touches on his shirt and can give directions to staff just as causally as he walks by and smiles at you. As a party left their table he strolls by, mumbled a few words, and bingo, a bus person magically appeared and cleared the table, he then in turn muttered a few words in his mouthpiece and bingo, the greeter brought a new couple to dine at the table. Wow. All so smooth that you wouldn't even pay attention. I only pass this along because I now pay more attention to what's happening around me and observing people and their habits and mannerisms. Besides learning something it gives me great insight for my writing endeavors.

My Quote of the Day - "It pays to keep your eyes on the road and it also pays to keep them open." - Pat Timm


-- posted by Pat Timm @ 5:16 PM,


Wind will it be over?

Thursday, December 14, 2006



Trees were falling like crazy at dusk when winds reached 60 mph in Clark County and over 100 mph along the coast.


NOWCAST - The cold front is just now passing through the western valleys but the highest winds will be near midnight or after when the main low center moves to our north. Don't let the lull at 7pm fool you. The heaviest steady rainfall is now over. But still some very cold showers moving our way Friday with hail and possible low elevation snow.

FORECAST - Increasing winds again between 9pm and midnight with gusts to 60-65 possible. Showers Friday with highs only 45 with possible hail and thunder. Low snow levels with heaviest showers. Low Friday night near freezing.

OUTCAST - 
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...CORRECTION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
955 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006

...WIND STORM MOVES INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BRINGING STRONG AND
DAMAGING WINDS TO NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

A VERY STRONG PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS THE PACIFIC 
NORTHWEST THIS EVENING BROUGHT STRONG AND DAMAGING WINDS TO
NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. 

...PEAK OBSERVED WIND SPEEDS AS OF 930 PM THURSDAY EVENING...

...COAST...

ROCKAWAY BEACH...................97 MPH
GARIBALDI........................93 MPH
LINCOLN CITY.....................91 MPH
NEWPORT COURTHOUSE...............82 MPH
YAQUINA BAY BRIDGE ..............85 MPH
NEWPORT JETTY....................80 MPH
CANNON BEACH.....................79 MPH
CAPE FOULWEATHER.................77 MPH
BAY CITY.........................76 MPH
FLORENCE.........................75 MPH
NEWPORT AIRPORT..................73 MPH
YACHATS..........................71 MPH
CLATSOP SPIT.....................71 MPH
ASTORIA AIRPORT..................69 MPH
TILLAMOOK........................66 MPH
DUNES RAWS.......................64 MPH
OCEAN PARK.......................62 MPH
BAY CENTER.......................60 MPH


...COAST RANGE...

MT HEBO.........................114 MPH
ROCKHOUSE RAWS...................95 MPH
ABERNATHY MTN (SW WASHINGTON)....73 MPH
SOUTH FORK RAWS..................71 MPH
VERNONIA.........................60 MPH
BUXTON...........................60 MPH


...WILLAMETTE VALLEY...

SALEM............................80 MPH
DALLAS...........................70 MPH
FOREST GROVE.....................70 MPH
HOCKINSON........................62 MPH
ALOHA............................60 MPH
LEBANON..........................56 MPH
MCMINNVILLE......................56 MPH
PORTLAND AIRPORT.................53 MPH
PORTLAND METRO...................62 MPH
PORTLAND METRO...................60 MPH
VANCOUVER SPOTTER................63 MPH
CORVALLIS SPOTTER................55 MPH
EUGENE AIRPORT...................54 MPH
AURORA...........................54 MPH
VANCOUVER AIRPORT................50 MPH
HILLSBORO AIRPORT................46 MPH
TOLEDO...........................44 MPH


...GORGE...
CORBETT..........................60 MPH


...CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS...

MT HOOD MEADOWS..................99 MPH
BRUSH CREEK RAWS.................82 MPH
BLUE RIDGE RAWS..................77 MPH
YELLOWSTONE MT...................71 MPH
SUGARLOAF RAWS...................70 MPH


OFF TOPIC -  There isn't much to discuss off topic because all my
thoughts have been on the topic. ....weather. So, tomorrow after I get
some rest I'll get back on my soapbox!

My Quote of the Day - "The dark clouds may come but a rainbow will appear." - Pat Timm






-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:14 PM,


Wind Speeds

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
645 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006

...WIND STORM MOVES INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BRINGING STRONG WINDS
TO NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

A STRONG PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
COAST IS BRINGING STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS
TO NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON TONIGHT.  THE STRONGEST
WINDS WITH THIS STORM ARE EXPECTED THIS EVENING ALONG THE COAST AND
IN THE COAST RANGE...THEN LATER TONIGHT IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND
CASCADES.

...PEAK OBSERVED WIND SPEEDS AS OF 645 PM THU AFTERNOON...

...COAST...

ROCKAWAY BEACH...................97 MPH
GARIBALDI........................93 MPH
LINCOLN CITY.....................91 MPH
YAQUINA BAY BRIDGE ..............85 MPH
NEWPORT COURTHOUSE...............82 MPH
NEWPORT JETTY....................80 MPH
CANNON BEACH.....................79 MPH
CAPE FOULWEATHER.................77 MPH
BAY CITY.........................76 MPH