March 2021 Pacific Northwest Weather Obs

[snow_wizard 12198]

Looks like Sunday night through Wednesday night all get into the 30 to 35 range here.  Not too shabby.

[snow_wizard 12198]

Wow...trough number 2 is much prettier on this ECMWF run.  We're on a roll.

[snow_wizard 12198]

I have to give Phil some kudos if this run verifies.  Some pretty legit cold showing up for early April.

[TigerWoodsLibido 5752]

Squadron of 3 military helicopters headed up the east valley. Really loud and awesome.

[Phil 12063]

I’m uncomfortably warm.

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

1 hour ago, Cloud said:

Last night’s Falcon 9 breakup was one of the most wild thing I’ve seen in a long time! Instantly brought me back to Columbia and it freaked me out for a bit.

I unfortunately missed it had no idea it was coming I was inside watching TV. Did bring back some good memories of last summers NEOWISE comet. Caught that one a few times in Tacoma before seeing the peak of it over in banks lake in mid July. Was much more clear in eastern WA. 

[TigerWoodsLibido 5752]

Are we "due" for another Hale-Bopp-status spectacle? I honestly don't know how often brilliant northern hemisphere comets come around. Plus the Oort cloud and the sun "play catch with comets and hope that Jupiter "vacuums" them up or it's best-of-luck for the the inner solar system" on a pretty regular basis.

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

Figured we would see more sunshine today but just cloudy and 52 currently. 

[MossMan 10738]

1 hour ago, Phil said:

I’m uncomfortably warm.

82 degrees sounds perfect to me! 

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

7 minutes ago, MossMan said:

82 degrees sounds perfect to me! 

We will probably be seeing our first low 80s in about 6-8 weeks unless we get a may 2011 redux. Or sometimes we get really crazy April heatwaves like 2016 when we hit the upper 80s. 

[snow_wizard 12198]

12 minutes ago, TacomaWaWx said:

Figured we would see more sunshine today but just cloudy and 52 currently. 

I'm kind of disappointed how cloudy it has ended up here.  OR is going to get another frost tonight.  Look like we will do fine next week for frost though.

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

2 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

I'm kind of disappointed how cloudy it has ended up here.  OR is going to get another frost tonight.  Look like we will do fine next week for frost though.

Yeah hoping for a few more chilly nights in late March early April. We’re definitely getting to the end of the chilly nights season atleast here at my house. 

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

If the euro verifies we will end up with about 2.5-2.75” of rain this month. Over the last 15 years we’ve averaged close to 5” so definitely below normal but not as much as I was thinking we would end up below normal. 

[TT-SEA 4193]

15 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

I'm kind of disappointed how cloudy it has ended up here.  OR is going to get another frost tonight.  Look like we will do fine next week for frost though.

I am certain that Randy is not worried about getting frost.   I am assuming he just wants some sun.  

[Phil 12063]

34 minutes ago, MossMan said:

82 degrees sounds perfect to me! 

High was 84 degrees. Too soon!

If this were July I’d be thrilled for a day like today. But it’s March..

[Omegaraptor 2439]

39 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

I'm kind of disappointed how cloudy it has ended up here.  OR is going to get another frost tonight.  Look like we will do fine next week for frost though.

It was overcast a few hours ago but has cleared out quite a bit since then.

[Rubus Leucodermis 1344]

3 hours ago, Phil said:

I’m uncomfortably warm.

79˚F? I have yet to get within 20˚F of that mark so far this year.

[Phil 12063]

52 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

79˚F? I have yet to get within 20˚F of that mark so far this year.

We excel at blowtorches (and wind). And suck at pretty much everything else.

[Phil 12063]

Harmonic -NAO/-PNA on the 18z GFS. Looks like some beautiful spring weather incoming out there.

[TT-SEA 4193]

27 minutes ago, Phil said:

Harmonic -NAO/-PNA on the 18z GFS. Looks like some beautiful spring weather incoming out there.

You mean a total continuation of winter?    Yeah... that is beautiful to about 1% of the population.   It does not have to 85 and sunny... but 45 and raining is far from beautiful.   That is winter.  

[SilverFallsAndrew 15358]

30 minutes ago, Phil said:

Harmonic -NAO/-PNA on the 18z GFS. Looks like some beautiful spring weather incoming out there.

A lot of grapuel, small Hail, and wet snow in my future!

[SilverFallsAndrew 15358]

Just now, TT-SEA said:

You mean a total continuation of winter?    Yeah... that is beautiful to about 1% of the population.   It does not have to 85 and sunny... but 45 and raining is far from beautiful.   That is winter.  

Today is pretty beautiful. I will post pics later. 

[Jginmartini 3942]

4 hours ago, TigerWoodsLibido said:

Squadron of 3 military helicopters headed up the east valley. Really loud and awesome.

That gets me excited as well! 

[SilverFallsAndrew 15358]

-4 departure at SLE today. 

[TT-SEA 4193]

5 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Today is pretty beautiful. I will post pics later. 

I would feel the same about today if I was down there.

[Meatyorologist 2043]

7 minutes ago, TT-SEA said:

You mean a total continuation of winter?    Yeah... that is beautiful to about 1% of the population.   It does not have to 85 and sunny... but 45 and raining is far from beautiful.   That is winter.  

1% of America? Sure. But as for those living on the west side of the Cascades, i can tell you personally that at least half of my friends love this cool, rainy weather.

[TT-SEA 4193]

Just now, Meatyorologist said:

1% of America? Sure. But as for those living on the west side of the Cascades, i can tell you personally that at least half of my friends love this cool, rainy weather.

Great.   45 and rain all year long would be perfect.  

 

[Meatyorologist 2043]

Just now, TT-SEA said:

Great.   45 and rain all year long would be perfect.  

 

Of course not, unless you are an actual masochist. But for 45-60F and rainy thru early May, that is not only pleasantly cool for many, but also climatologically understandable.

[snow_wizard 12198]

I just noticed something about the cold trough that is going to arrive on Sunday.  For some reason when the temps crashes in the lower levels of the atmosphere there is going to be a corresponding warm spike into the upper the atmosphere and maybe even the stratosphere.  Pretty dynamic system it would appear.

 

[SilverFallsAndrew 15358]

4 minutes ago, Meatyorologist said:

1% of America? Sure. But as for those living on the west side of the Cascades, i can tell you personally that at least half of my friends love this cool, rainy weather.

That has been my experience AS WELL.

[Meatyorologist 2043]

3 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

I just noticed something about the cold trough that is going to arrive on Sunday.  For some reason when the temps crashes in the lower levels of the atmosphere there is going to be a corresponding warm spike into the upper the atmosphere and maybe even the stratosphere.  Pretty dynamic system it would appear.

 

Colder air aloft sinking and adiabatically warming the lower levels via compression? That's my best guess. Can't explain the stratosphere, though.

[TT-SEA 4193]

1 minute ago, Meatyorologist said:

Of course not, unless you are an actual masochist. But for 45-60F and rainy thru early May, that is not only pleasantly cool for many, but also climatologically understandable.

Yes... April is usually scorching hot.    I get climo... but it would be nice if winter does not continue right through spring.   Such life in western WA.    When it happens... most people don't call it beautiful.   

[Meatyorologist 2043]

Just now, TT-SEA said:

Yes... April is usually scorching hot.    I get climo... but it would be nice if winter does not continue right through spring.   Such life in western WA.    When it happens... most people don't call it beautiful.   

To each their own.

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

54/42 today. Had a few peaks of the sun through the clouds today but mostly just a dry overcast day. 

[TT-SEA 4193]

Just now, Meatyorologist said:

To each their own.

Indeed.    Quite the range of preferences on here. 

[TacomaWaWx 4614]

2 minutes ago, TT-SEA said:

Yes... April is usually scorching hot.    I get climo... but it would be nice if winter does not continue right through spring.   Such life in western WA.    When it happens... most people don't call it beautiful.   

Well let’s be honest the opinions of weather on this forum aren’t representative of what most people like in terms of weather in the general population. Most people I know just want more sun and warmth by this point in the year. I like an even mix of both but I’m a weather weenie and my opinion isn’t the same as many but similar to many people here lol. 

[Timmy_Supercell 2315]

58/17 at KLMT! Close... 

[TT-SEA 4193]

8 minutes ago, TacomaWaWx said:

Well let’s be honest the opinions of weather on this forum aren’t representative of what most people like in terms of weather in the general population. Most people I know just want more sun and warmth by this point in the year. I like an even mix of both but I’m a weather weenie and my opinion isn’t the same as many but similar to many people here lol. 

Yeah... I honestly don't know of anyone who says 45-degree rain is beautiful weather incoming at this time of year other than on here.    But its probably going to happen.   The 18Z GFS shows the majority of the days in the next 2 weeks in the 40s to low 50s and wet in Seattle.   

[Phil 12063]

13 minutes ago, TT-SEA said:

Yes... April is usually scorching hot.    I get climo... but it would be nice if winter does not continue right through spring.   Such life in western WA.    When it happens... most people don't call it beautiful.   

You’ll get your ridging later in April, probably lasting into early May. MJO/intraseasonal cycle is quite stable at the moment and likely will remain so until the final stratwarm/inception of summer NAM.

Cold/troughy signal would probably return to the West by mid/late May assuming if the system state evolves normally. 

[Phil 12063]

1 minute ago, TT-SEA said:

Yeah... I don't know of anyone who says 45-degree rain is beautiful weather incoming at this time of year on than on this forum.    But its probably going to happen.   The 18Z GFS shows the majority of the days in the next 2 weeks in the 40s to low 50s and wet in Seattle.   

Considering what happened in 2014-18, we were/are (statistically) due for a gyration back the other way.

[TT-SEA 4193]

Just now, Phil said:

You’ll get your ridging later in April, probably lasting into early May. MJO/intraseasonal cycle is quite stable at the moment and likely will remain so until the final stratwarm/inception of summer NAM.

Cold/troughy signal would probably return to the West by mid/late May assuming if the system state evolves normally. 

All or nothing as usual around here.    

And that matches up pretty well with other Nina years in the spring and early summer.  

[TT-SEA 4193]

1 minute ago, Phil said:

Considering what happened in 2014-18, we were/are (statistically) due for a gyration back the other way.

No doubt.  

[Chewbacca Defense 1158]

20 hours ago, Phil said:

Crap. Worst possible timing.

 

OOF....that's right near my stomping grounds.  My grandmother was born in nearby Fayetteville, and then my Mom grew up a little further east in Mcdonough.  I lived there several years as well.  Reminds me of when I flew back to Ga in the late 90's for my sister's wedding in South Ga.  Landed in Atlanta, and had to drive down near the Ga-Fla border.  There was a big tornado in the EF4-EF5 range that went across the freeway a week or so before.  It was crazy to see thick forest on either side of the freeway, then about 1/2-3/4 mile of devastation, then right back to thick forest.  The only way to describe it is that it was like a mower made a pass through a hay field, only it was trees strewn about, not hay.

[TT-SEA 4193]

2 minutes ago, Chewbacca Defense said:

OOF....that's right near my stomping grounds.  My grandmother was born in nearby Fayetteville, and then my Mom grew up a little further east in Mcdonough.  I lived there several years as well.  Reminds me of when I flew back to Ga in the late 90's for my sister's wedding in South Ga.  Landed in Atlanta, and had to drive down near the Ga-Fla border.  There was a big tornado in the EF4-EF5 range that went across the freeway a week or so before.  It was crazy to see thick forest on either side of the freeway, then about 1/2-3/4 mile of devastation, then right back to thick forest.  The only way to describe it is that it was like a mower made a pass through a hay field, only it was trees strewn about, not hay.

I remember a scene just like that back in the 80s in northern Wisconsin near my grandparent's house.    It was surreal.

[SilverFallsAndrew 15358]

Did a photo shoot with the dog. 

[Phil 12063]

Impressive!

 

[TT-SEA 4193]

2 minutes ago, Phil said:

Impressive!

 

That is so cool... its truly continuous.

[Chewbacca Defense 1158]

Haven't been on much lately, move to Maine is stalled and has gotten frustrating, and my mom ended up back in the hospital with a fractured skull and Covid to boot.  She was asymptomatic for most of the time, and was moved to a short term rehab facility after a week or so in the hospital.  After a few days there her O2 levels dropped, and the only way we figured out she was in distress was because of my uncle calling to say hi and realizing there was something seriously wrong (she could barely talk).    Got her back in the hospital where they found she had Covid pneumonia (apparently looks different from regular pneumonia on x-ray), and that she was in AFib.

The cardiologist could tell that her heart was trying to reestablish a normal rhythm on its own (which it eventually did) so they just monitored her.  She is in a new facility, and its the same one her older sister and brother in law live in (her older sister is fit as a fiddle but brother in law has epilepsy and dementia) so her sister will be able to keep an eye on her.

 

So, it's been a few weeks of suck, but its kinda nice to get back on here and see all the weather chatter and banter.  Here's to hoping that in the coming weeks the move to Maine will get back on track, and that my mom will start to get better at this new facility (and finally accept that she can't live at home any more).

[TheNewCulverJosh 412]

Too bad the front coming in didn't materialize December 28th instead of March 28th.  Same song, different year.

[TT-SEA 4193]

13 minutes ago, TheNewCulverJosh said:

Too bad the front coming in didn't materialize December 28th instead of March 28th.  Same song, different year.

Actually... this type of strong onshore flow system would have produced rain in Seattle in December as well.   Seattle is going to have a strong SW wind from frontal passage until the precip ends.   Snow almost never falls even here when there is a strong SW wind... even in the dead of winter.    The c-zone area from Everett eastward would probably get lots of snow with this same set up though.