December 2023 Weather in the PNW

[GHweatherChris]

56 minutes ago, Poulsbo Snowman said:

Maybe it's best to move on about mourning about pets--we all do it because they're family--and move on to the upcoming weather.  No need to measure penis sizes right now.  

Mine is  the biggest, now we can move on.

[Slushy Inch]

Is this the wrong time to post models? Sorry for everyone’s loss. 

[GHweatherChris]

Finally, the weenie emoji got used in the correct manner.

[Kayla]

30 minutes ago, MossMan said:

Well since we are on the subject…My dad passed away peacefully last evening. Rough stuff but both my sister and I have an odd calmness over us, he battled so many health issues since the late 1980’s which escalated in the early 2000’s and then nailed him hardcore in early August…Knowing he is no longer in pain (pain that I’m sure many people will never experience) is very calming. Definitely the strongest person I will ever be around when it comes to battling every infection that tried to get him for so many years, but he battled on and tried his hardest to not have it effect his life too much. 

One of the last things we talked about on Saturday when he was still semi coherent at the hospital was the Christmas lights I put up on the house and I told him that he taught me everything I know about exterior illumination as I was showing him pictures of my lit up house.

I still remember being about 5 years old and helping him put up the Christmas lights, they were those big bulbed multi colored lights, it felt so magical helping him and seeing them light up the house knowing Santa was going to come now since he could see those bright lights! 
I always think of those times when I am putting up the lights that now my kids are helping me with!
 

Really sorry to hear. So great to hear that you are holding those memories close to you and that you can share that same love and kindness with your own children this holiday season.

[TT-SEA]

4 minutes ago, Slushy Inch said:

Is this the wrong time to post models? Sorry for everyone’s loss. 

Perfect time!  

[Tyler Mode]

My favorite fog photos...it was so calm at Vancouver Lake.

[ShawniganLake]

1 hour ago, Deweydog said:

CFS says the correct mourning time for a dog is 3.69 days

For a cat it’s 11 seconds followed by seven hours of ferocious celebratory dancing.

Our cat died in the summer.  My 4 year old still cries some days.  A bit of an emotional girl she is. 

[ShawniganLake]

1 hour ago, MossMan said:

Well since we are on the subject…My dad passed away peacefully last evening. Rough stuff but both my sister and I have an odd calmness over us, he battled so many health issues since the late 1980’s which escalated in the early 2000’s and then nailed him hardcore in early August…Knowing he is no longer in pain (pain that I’m sure many people will never experience) is very calming. Definitely the strongest person I will ever be around when it comes to battling every infection that tried to get him for so many years, but he battled on and tried his hardest to not have it effect his life too much. 

One of the last things we talked about on Saturday when he was still semi coherent at the hospital was the Christmas lights I put up on the house and I told him that he taught me everything I know about exterior illumination as I was showing him pictures of my lit up house.

I still remember being about 5 years old and helping him put up the Christmas lights, they were those big bulbed multi colored lights, it felt so magical helping him and seeing them light up the house knowing Santa was going to come now since he could see those bright lights! 
I always think of those times when I am putting up the lights that now my kids are helping me with!
 

 

[AbbyJr]

6 hours ago, Phil said:

Sorry I’m not a wishcaster. But u can always block me.  

Yes but the Niño LP/standing wave structure was different during those events. This year it’s much further east and in constructive interference with the (albeit waning) +IOD.

You keep saying that yet the torch keeps torching.

FWIW I was pretty bullish in each of the last 6 winters (even 18/19 once the magnitude of the SSW became evident). This is the first winter I’ve been bearish on (for the NW) since 2015/16.

I know you're not a wishcaster, and that's one thing I appreciate about your input. You say what you honestly believe will happen, not what you want or what you know we want to happen. I do remember how bullish you were for the 2020/21 winter, especially when it became obvious that we would see a major SSW event with a La Niña/+QBO combo. To be honest, I was bullish on that one too and honestly felt like a February 2019 repeat was on its way. Unfortunately, the coldest air ended up sliding a bit too far east. While it was chilly, it was nothing really noteworthy up here in the Fraser Valley. I've seen better outcomes in March here.

That said, I believe that if and when we do see a 1950 or a 1968/69 repeat, it will come when we all least expect it.

[Mercurial]

6 hours ago, TigerWoodsLibido said:

Historic dud.

Tbf it's unusual but not super rare for lower elevation ski towns like Whitefish, Sandpoint, and Fernie.  Happens once or twice even in La Nina years.  It'd be much rarer for Big Sky or Bridger Bowl to get rain in December.  Still sucks either way.

[Frontal Snowsquall]

1 hour ago, MossMan said:

Well since we are on the subject…My dad passed away peacefully last evening. Rough stuff but both my sister and I have an odd calmness over us, he battled so many health issues since the late 1980’s which escalated in the early 2000’s and then nailed him hardcore in early August…Knowing he is no longer in pain (pain that I’m sure many people will never experience) is very calming. Definitely the strongest person I will ever be around when it comes to battling every infection that tried to get him for so many years, but he battled on and tried his hardest to not have it effect his life too much. 

One of the last things we talked about on Saturday when he was still semi coherent at the hospital was the Christmas lights I put up on the house and I told him that he taught me everything I know about exterior illumination as I was showing him pictures of my lit up house.

I still remember being about 5 years old and helping him put up the Christmas lights, they were those big bulbed multi colored lights, it felt so magical helping him and seeing them light up the house knowing Santa was going to come now since he could see those bright lights! 
I always think of those times when I am putting up the lights that now my kids are helping me with!
 

My condolences on your loss Randy. May he rest in peace now. From what I can tell, he raised a great young man.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

39 minutes ago, ShawniganLake said:

Our cat died in the summer.  My 4 year old still cries some days.  A bit of an emotional girl she is. 

Kids are free to mourn for up to 3 years or the age of 12. Whichever comes first. 

[Phishy Wx]

how long is the acceptable grieving period for a human?  just wanted to make sure my metrics lines up to the board requirements 

[SnowySeeker50]

Foggy Seatac. Flights being delayed

[ShawniganLake]

3 minutes ago, Phishy Wx said:

how long is the acceptable grieving period for a human?  just wanted to make sure my metrics lines up to the board requirements 

Depends on the human. I like my pets more than a lot of humans.   

[the_convergence_zone]

Really unusual for thick flog to roll in at like 4 pm after such a nice sunny day. And the fog is so close to the ground that I can see the moon through it. 

[TT-SEA]

6 minutes ago, the_convergence_zone said:

Really unusual for thick flog to roll in at like 4 pm after such a nice sunny day. And the fog is so close to the ground that I can see the moon through it. 

My son works downtown now and sent me pics from the 21st floor of the fog rolling in.   It was pretty strange timing for sure.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

1 hour ago, Slushy Inch said:

Is this the wrong time to post models? Sorry for everyone’s loss. 

I’m not sure that’s actually a very cold

pattern at the surface.

[Frontal Snowsquall]

3 hours ago, snow_wizard said:

Pretty weird afternoon.  As I was leaving work a wall of fog was beginning to swallow up Kent.  Very rare to see it move in like that here.

It’s looking like we’ll be socked in the fog all day tomorrow down here as well. Fitting for it to happen on the Winter Solstice.
 

 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

27 minutes ago, Phishy Wx said:

how long is the acceptable grieving period for a human?  just wanted to make sure my metrics lines up to the board requirements 

That’s a sliding scale based on a variety of factors based on the persons age and their relationship to you. Could be a few days or a lifetime. 

[Gradient Keeper]

2 hours ago, snow_wizard said:

Cats are totally awesome!  Too bad some people don't appreciate them as much as dogs.

Yeah. I'm confused on that, and why someone would even say that. I assume it's sarcasm, but it's badly timed. In my opinion.

00z GFS running now.

[Cold Snap]

Sorry to hear about everyone’s loss. All of you are in my thoughts. Hopefully we get a big snowstorm later this winter. This forum deserves it.

[Gradient Keeper]

00z GFS Day 1 (4-run trend)

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 2 (4-run trend)

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 3 (4-run trend)

[VancouverIslandSouth]

Thick fog pretty much all day in Victoria. I was surprised to see how narrow the band of fog was on the satellite to the south of the island.

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 4

[Sunriver Snow Zone]

Looks like Mt Baker is the place to be for a White Christmas!

Too bad I'll be here in sunriver hosting my family's Christmas get together, otherwise I'd pack my bags and be heading to Mount baker, that's for darn sure. Maybe next year we'll get a good white Christmas, for now we look forward to January I guess.

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 5 (4-run trend)

[MossMan]

[Slushy Inch]

37 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

I’m not sure that’s actually a very cold

pattern at the surface.

Point is it’s about to be. Looks like an unrealistic pattern though.

[Gradient Keeper]

I am not seeing much of a cold pool developing after the front pushes through Friday. I doubt much happens for the Gorge or Hood River Valley during the 24th-26th.

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 6 (4-run trend)

[Slushy Inch]

4 minutes ago, MossMan said:

It has been a really foggy winter in general 

[Chewbacca Defense]

7 hours ago, TT-SEA said:

Wow... they do look very similar.   And Cody was the same with water and snow.   

I told myself I was going to be strong.  I have never had to go through that with a dog.   I had a dog growing up but she died when I was in college and my parents took care of everything.   Cody was so weak yesterday... could barely stand and was swaying back and forth when he did stand so I felt better about it being the right time.   But then when I put the chain on to walk him out to the car he started wagging his tail and perked up thinking he was going for a walk.   Absolutely brutal.   The people there were so nice and did everything to make it comfortable for us.   They said they would sedate him first and then follow up with the injection.   After being sedated he laid down in the middle of the room totally normal... his head was down on his paws but his eyes were tracking with whoever was talking at the time.   Then they did the final injection without really telling us.   We were talking and petting him and no more than a minute later the vet said he is gone now.   It was surreal.   I had no idea he was gone... he never moved and his eyes didn't even close.   It looked like you could say his name and he would bounce right up.   I was definitely not strong then.     My sons couldn't bring themselves to go with us but they were on the phone during the appointment and it was horrible for them too.  It was definitely peaceful for Cody though.  

That's rough, but glad you were there for him in the end, its good for the pet owner, but especially the pet.  I've read/heard stories about people just "dropping off" their pet to be put down....just so wrong.  I've only had to take one pet to be put down, and what was brutal, but the vet did and amazing job taking care of both me and my pet.  They were kinda "sneaky" about the final injection then too.  Makes sense I guess.

 

I've never been there to see it, but my wife told me that at our current vet's office, whenever a pet is there for their "final goodbye" the front desk staff lights a candle and puts up a sign that notifying people that there is a pet owner there to put their pet down (its worded more eloquently) and to please be quiet and respectful. 

Man all this sad pet stuff is getting me all verklempt.  Here are some happy puppy pictures.  The first one she is getting annoyed with me because I was not walking fast enough.  The second one was me trying to get a decent picture, but she was too focused on birds in a nearby tree.  I whistled and caught this quick shot before she went back to trying to figure out how to get the birds.

[Slushy Inch]

Snow totals in WA cascades way up on this run due to convergence zone 

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 7 (4-run trend)

[TT-SEA]

5 minutes ago, Chewbacca Defense said:

That's rough, but glad you were there for him in the end, its good for the pet owner, but especially the pet.  I've read/heard stories about people just "dropping off" their pet to be put down....just so wrong.  I've only had to take one pet to be put down, and what was brutal, but the vet did and amazing job taking care of both me and my pet.  They were kinda "sneaky" about the final injection then too.  Makes sense I guess.

 

I've never been there to see it, but my wife told me that at our current vet's office, whenever a pet is there for their "final goodbye" the front desk staff lights a candle and puts up a sign that notifying people that there is a pet owner there to put their pet down (its worded more eloquently) and to please be quiet and respectful. 

Man all this sad pet stuff is getting me all verklempt.  Here are some happy puppy pictures.  The first one she is getting annoyed with me because I was not walking fast enough.  The second one was me trying to get a decent picture, but she was too focused on birds in a nearby tree.  I whistled and caught this quick shot before she went back to trying to figure out how to get the birds.

Great pics...  is that the trail along the east side of Lake Whatcom?    That was my parent's favorite trail up there and they did it hundreds of times over the last 20 years.   They liked it because its totally flat and has beautiful views the entire way with the lake on one side and random waterfalls on the other side.  

[Gradient Keeper]

We've always been cat people personally. We did have two dogs before though. One was a Keeshond "Herfy", and another Black Lab "Sam", but we didn't have him for very long. I guess Cats just work better for us. I suppose. It is never easy going through the loss of a pet, which as many others have mentioned are very much family, because they are. They aren't just a dog or cat for sure. It seems when we do lose our furry friend that we often say how we can't go through that again, we may not get another, we I think we all do. It just takes some time. Anyhow

00z ECMWF in 1 hour 18 minutes

[Gradient Keeper]

Day 8