News, Weather

March Storms Bring Record Snowfall for Seattle Area Skiers

“Around here there is typically a 10 to 1 ratio of snow versus precipitation in the form of liquid water,” says University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass, which explains why, when Seattle sidewalks are becoming impassable floodplains, Snoqualmie and Stevens passes are reporting over three feet of snowfall over the past three days. Crystal Mountain saw 46 inches. But wait, there’s more. Much more. Continue reading March Storms Bring Record Snowfall for Seattle Area Skiers

Health, News, Weather

Stagnant Air Advisory Gets an Extra Week, by Popular Demand

Puget Sound Clean Air currently rates King and Kitsap county air at moderate, Pierce and Snohomish at unhealthy for sensitive groups. South of Seattle, Duwamish Valley and South Park have troubles with air quality year ’round, and this is just piling on. Most of Seattle proper is still within the Good range, with Beacon Hill claiming the best air.

Despite this, there is no burn ban in effect yet for King and Kitsap, though Pierce and Snohomish are at Stage One. Continue reading Stagnant Air Advisory Gets an Extra Week, by Popular Demand

News, Weather

“With hey, ho, the 60-mph wind and the 4 to 5 inches of rain”

“A VERY serious storm is going to hit the Northwest during the next two days,” warns UW meteorologist Cliff Mass, “one that will cause flooding and coastal wind damage. And the urban areas are going to experience a deluge.”

Weather models are showing the mountains will get five to ten inches of rain, while “Seattle will get nearly 4-5 inches if this forecast verifies,” says Mass. Continue reading “With hey, ho, the 60-mph wind and the 4 to 5 inches of rain”

News, Weather

Who Wants to Look at the New Weather Radar? No Pushing.

It’s an early Christmas for Cliff Mass and area meteorologists, as Washington’s new coastal radar system has come online a little in advance of its official debut on September 30, 2011.

How much of a difference could there be? Quite a lot, it turns out. Continue reading Who Wants to Look at the New Weather Radar? No Pushing.

News, Weather

Get Ready for Summer in Seattle This September

The National Weather Service notes that: “As of August 28th, Seatac airport has only had 0.12 inches of precipitation during the month of August. If no more precipitation occurs this month, it will rank as the 6th driest August since 1945.”

Now we’re looking at low-80s for Labor Day Weekend, according to KOMO Weather. But wait, there’s more. We could actually see high temperatures next week that count as high to people outside the Pacific Northwest’s air-conditioned zone–90 degrees even! Continue reading Get Ready for Summer in Seattle This September

News, Weather

Coastal Radar On Time For September Start, Says Cantwell

“I’m pleased that after several years of fighting for our state’s first coastal Doppler radar, we’re getting to the point where the foundation has been laid and the system is being implemented for an on-time opening this September,” Cantwell said. “The Pacific Northwest will be safer because of this technology which will help close the weather coverage gap.” Continue reading Coastal Radar On Time For September Start, Says Cantwell

News, Weather

April Shivers Will Come Your Way

When UW meteorologist Cliff Mass ends his post, “Don’t blame me…,” you know the news is probably not good. “Revenge of a Dying La Niña” explains that the good news is that La Niña’s cooler ocean temperatures are being replaced by warmer ones.

The bad news is: “But none of this will do us any good this spring and the National Weather Service is forecasting colder than normal temperatures over the next month.” Continue reading April Shivers Will Come Your Way