April storm improves 2022 PNW water outlook, drought remains. – AP

Good news but not enough to bail us out of drought conditions.



Climatologists say rare April snow along with rain sweeping across the Pacific Northwest this week could increase water supplies, slow snow melt and lengthen the irrigation season. Washington state climatologist Nick Bond said irrigators will benefit from April storms, but it won’t be enough to end the eastern Washington drought. (Associated Press)

https://www.knkx.org/environment/2022-04-13/april-storm-improves-2022-pnw-water-outlook-drought-remains

Weather or Not from Al Latham

Our monthly report from Al Latham here in Jefferson County. Always a fun and interesting read! 

_______________________________________

Greetings and happy La Nina spring from http://www.cocorahs.org station WA-JF-1 located 5.1 miles south of the Chimacum metropolis.

As Mark Twain said “In spring I have counted 136
kinds of weather inside of 24 hours”…   That pretty well describes the past March.

We recorded 2.42″ rain here with 3.8″ average.
For the water year so far we accumulated 23.84″ with 25.2″ being our average.

La Nina means cooler/wetter winter/spring.  It has
definitely been cooler around here but we haven’t experience more
rainfall – except for January of course, but that’s ancient history.

According to http://www.cliffmass.blogspot.com “Most of western Washington, Oregon, California, and the southwest states were more than 2F cooler than normal.   Chilling statistics”.
NOAA Climate Prediction Center is forecasting cooler
temps for the next 3 months but they are on the fence about weather it will be wetter, drier or normal rain wise.
So that’s it for now – enjoy whatever weather we get, but don’t put those tomatoes out too soon!  Al
 
“April’s air stirs in
Willow leaves…a butterfly
Floats and balances”         Basho
 
What do you call it when you get mugged on the vernal equinox?
The first robbin of spring!
 
When all the world appears to be in tumult, and
nature itself is feeling the assault of climate change, the seasons
retain their essential rhythm.
Yes, fall gives us a premonition of winter,
but the, winter, will be forced to relent,
once again
to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring!      Madeline M. Kunin

Al Latham’s Weather Report for November

Thanks to Al for continuing to let us in on the local weather stats! We love his work!


Greetings inhabitants of earth!

Here’s the November rainfall/precipitation report from your friendly www.cocorahs.org station WA-JF-1 located slightly off Center, 5.1 miles south of the bustling metropolis of Chimacum.

Yup, you’re right, November was dry!  Only 1.17″ found in the rain gauge with 5.1″ being the average at this place.

With only 2 months accumulation in the new water year (started Oct 1) the total is 3.26″ with 7.9″ being the average.

November is often our wettest month – not this year!

In fact, it’s the driest November recorded here since 1981- the next driest was 2013 with 1.32″.  That was followed by a very dry December and much wetter Feb & Mar.  We’ll see what happens this winter.

A bit disconcerting to be going into December with the ditches dry and the pond at it’s lowest level.

The coho will be having a hard time getting into the upper watershed of Chimacum Creek with these low water levels.

The NOAA climate prediction center is guessing that Dec-Feb will be warmer and slightly wetter than “normal” – but forecasts out more than 10 days are more art than science – not that art is bad of course!

That’s it for this edition of Weather – or not!   Al

 

“Imagine a Thanksgiving dinner of your great grandchildren a hundred years from now.  

In the center of the table is a bright silver salmon locally caught and cooked in the practiced way of long enjoyment and reverence.

At the end of the feast will be a simple ceremony – a long walk to the creek with neighboring families, each with a wooden bowl of salmon bones,

to return the remains to the waters of their creation in gratitude and respect.

Perhaps there will be mention of the ancestors, if that is who we decide to be – the old ones who stayed put, who gave the salmon shelter in their hearts

and found their own way home”.

(excerpt from “Homecoming”  by our chum Tom Jay  – one who stayed put.)

Ominous weather headed to PNW for Halloween weekend – SeattlePI.com

Rain gear not optional this weekend.

The region’s first fall storm is expected to blow through the Pacific Northwest just in time for Halloween. Washington State University’s AgWeatherNet says a storm front will park over Washington, Oregon and Idaho by Saturday morning. Forecasts indicate sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph will ravage much of Washington, with gusts in the mountains possibly topping 50 mph, AgWeatherNet says. Showers and drizzle will also blanket the region. Eastern Washington’s rain deposit is likely to be more intermittent, but the precipitation will be more steady in Western Washington. Two waves of heavier rain are expected to hit this weekend: Once Friday morning and again Friday night, continuing into Saturday morning. The chance of precipitation is 95 percent Saturday morning, but will go down to 55 percent in the evening, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning throughout the Puget Sound region for this weekend. Lynsi Burton reports. (SeattlePI.Com)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/weather/article/Ominous-weather-headed-to-PNW-for-Halloween-6599484.php

Hurricane Oho threatens Alaska, Canada as it moves away from Hawaii – Star-Advertiser/Cliff Mass

Looking at rain, probably high winds and big waves this weekend.

Hurricane Oho missed Hawaii and is speeding away from the state tonight. But it could bring rain to Washington state as it passes offshore Thursday and it will likely bring heavy rain and strong winds to Alaska and British Columbia starting Thursday night. Craig Gima reports. (Star-Advertiser) See also: Hurricane Oho is Heading Towards the Northwest

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/331185711.html

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/10/hurricane-oho-is-heading-towards.html Cliff Mass reports. (Weather Blog)

Northern lights: Auroras expected after 2 huge solar flares erupt – CBC

Look to the skies tonight. We have the weather to see them.

Two powerful blasts from the sun are hurtling towards Earth, and may generate beautiful auroras as far south as Pennsylvania tonight and tomorrow night – along with possible power and communications disruptions. “A G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued for September 13th due to the combined influence of these two events,” reported the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo. early Thursday morning. It recommended looking for possible auroras both Thursdayand Friday night. (CBC)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/northern-lights-auroras-expected-after-2-huge-solar-flares-erupt-1.2763354

Flooding likely this week.

Careful around the floodplains this weekend. The first round of late winter flooding could start Tuesday. Warm, heavy rain is predicted in the region for the next few days, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.

Rikki King reports.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130311/NEWS01/703119863#Heavy-rain-mild-flooding-expected-this-week

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