Spring's inauguration: Rain, wind, lightning and a little snow?
I don't know if there is an actual passing of the torch when one season hands off to the other, but if so, let's hope that flame has some Olympic-esque armor to it as the changeover from winter to spring will be amid a rather windy day.
A fairly potent storm more suited toward winter than spring is rapidly moving toward Vancouver Island, set to bring a solid dose of rain, wind and mountain snows. And it might set the stage for a little snow in spots down in the lowlands on its first full day in charge Thursday.
The rain is already here and it will remain rainy overnight, but for the lowlands, the wind will be the most noticeable.
The advisories have been issued in two prongs -- before the storm's center of low pressure arrives around midday Wednesday and after it passes. Before the low arrives, the coast and Northwest Interior have a Wind Advisory in effect from 11 p.m. tonight to 11 a.m. Wednesday for gusts up to 45-50 mph. Then at 11 a.m., a High Wind Watch goes into effect for that Northwest Interior area only for potential gusts to 60 mph. At this point, no advisories have been issued for the Puget Sound area, but I suspect they might be later Tuesday night.
As for timing, southeasterly winds should pick up along the coast and Northwest Interior late Tuesday evening and reach their gusts of 40-50 mph starting around 2 a.m and stay there through early Wednesday morning. For the Northwest Interior, gusts could then increase to 55-60 mph for the afternoon, tapering off in the late evening.
For the Puget Sound and southwestern Washington areas, southerly winds will begin to increase around 11 a.m., peaking around the 2-5 p.m. time frame at about 40-45 mph and then taper off after 8 p.m.
Up in the mountains, it's gobs and gobs of snow. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 11 p.m Tuesday through 5 a.m. Thursday for as much as 12-15 inches of snow in the passes and 2-3 feet of snow along the Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier areas. If you have to get over the pass, you might have a brief window of warmer air to get through late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning but pass conditions will rapidly deteriorate as we get into Wednesday afternoon.
But once that main front passes Wednesday evening doesn't mean the weather gets much calmer...
Cold, unstable air will rush in behind the storm's cold front, making for a potentially very active Thursday as well. This time, we'll be dealing with scattered heavy showers with possible thunderstorms and -- get this -- maybe even some thundersnow in the Puget Sound Convergence Zone areas.
Snow levels will fall to about 500-750 feet late Wednesday and remain there through Thursday meaning we could see some rain/snow mix showers down to sea-level and snow showers in the foothills although little to no accumulations expected there.
But forecast models indicate conditions favorable for a convergence zone and that if strong enough, could bring some minor accumulations to the areas both in the zone and around 500 feet, like Alderwood, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Snohomish, and South Everett. (Yes, this is the first full day of spring!) Highs will generally be in the mid 40s but could be stuck near 40 in the zone areas.
We do finally calm down on Friday with some scattered early showers then drying late. Another wave of light rain is due in on Saturday but then it looks dry for Sunday through Tuesday with highs around 50. Looks like spring will finally rule the roost by then, but boy, what a fight for control!
A fairly potent storm more suited toward winter than spring is rapidly moving toward Vancouver Island, set to bring a solid dose of rain, wind and mountain snows. And it might set the stage for a little snow in spots down in the lowlands on its first full day in charge Thursday.
The rain is already here and it will remain rainy overnight, but for the lowlands, the wind will be the most noticeable.
The advisories have been issued in two prongs -- before the storm's center of low pressure arrives around midday Wednesday and after it passes. Before the low arrives, the coast and Northwest Interior have a Wind Advisory in effect from 11 p.m. tonight to 11 a.m. Wednesday for gusts up to 45-50 mph. Then at 11 a.m., a High Wind Watch goes into effect for that Northwest Interior area only for potential gusts to 60 mph. At this point, no advisories have been issued for the Puget Sound area, but I suspect they might be later Tuesday night.
As for timing, southeasterly winds should pick up along the coast and Northwest Interior late Tuesday evening and reach their gusts of 40-50 mph starting around 2 a.m and stay there through early Wednesday morning. For the Northwest Interior, gusts could then increase to 55-60 mph for the afternoon, tapering off in the late evening.
For the Puget Sound and southwestern Washington areas, southerly winds will begin to increase around 11 a.m., peaking around the 2-5 p.m. time frame at about 40-45 mph and then taper off after 8 p.m.
Up in the mountains, it's gobs and gobs of snow. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 11 p.m Tuesday through 5 a.m. Thursday for as much as 12-15 inches of snow in the passes and 2-3 feet of snow along the Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier areas. If you have to get over the pass, you might have a brief window of warmer air to get through late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning but pass conditions will rapidly deteriorate as we get into Wednesday afternoon.
But once that main front passes Wednesday evening doesn't mean the weather gets much calmer...
Cold, unstable air will rush in behind the storm's cold front, making for a potentially very active Thursday as well. This time, we'll be dealing with scattered heavy showers with possible thunderstorms and -- get this -- maybe even some thundersnow in the Puget Sound Convergence Zone areas.
Snow levels will fall to about 500-750 feet late Wednesday and remain there through Thursday meaning we could see some rain/snow mix showers down to sea-level and snow showers in the foothills although little to no accumulations expected there.
But forecast models indicate conditions favorable for a convergence zone and that if strong enough, could bring some minor accumulations to the areas both in the zone and around 500 feet, like Alderwood, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Snohomish, and South Everett. (Yes, this is the first full day of spring!) Highs will generally be in the mid 40s but could be stuck near 40 in the zone areas.
We do finally calm down on Friday with some scattered early showers then drying late. Another wave of light rain is due in on Saturday but then it looks dry for Sunday through Tuesday with highs around 50. Looks like spring will finally rule the roost by then, but boy, what a fight for control!
Ha! Reminds me when it snowed near my son's b-day near the end of March. I'm ready, I love stormy weather. (Well, to a point). Very windy here tonight on and off. Love the wind.
Ah, Washington weather.... Love it or leave it!!
I remember back when the global warming fraud was in full hysteria we were told there would be no or little snowpack in the Cascades or Rockies and all our reservoirs would dry up.  Just like when we were told British kids would never see snow again just before the record snow and cold in Europe that winter.Â
It seems Mother Nature enjoys b*tch slapping those that involve her in their extortion schemes...
@Goodwin In case it has eluded you, "global warming" is not the scientific term used, nor was it ever. "global climate change" was the scientific term, but was shortened to 'global warming' by non-scientific understanding ignorance on various levels. And for another, you also attempt to alter things by citing a weather event as if it were about 'climate change'. It has been found, particular to the US, that sciences, all of them, are not exactly on the high list for the majority of citizens. Thus it is that virtually all of the scientific theories are either unknown, or totally misunderstood by the majority, of which the main fault lies within the educational system which has never actually emphasized scientific education above a remedial course in mathematics.
One more thing. the event of "climate change" has opened the doors to far more scientific endeavors, which will decidedly enhance private business enterprises who take up the challenge. Resulting in more employment, newer advanced products, and a new global entrepreneurial challenge. Just as with the advent of the industrial revolution era, and the later digital revolution era, this one can be grabbed and run by those with the imagination and the forward thinking necessary.
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@the unvarnished truth @WSims007 Â
So now you want to equate it to a 'ponzi scheme'? As for humans 'causing it', in a small measure yes we are contributing to it. With several billions+ humans burning tons of fossil fuel, that adds up. As for that cooling reference ages ago, yeah they did blow that one, and have since...long since corrected it. It might not do you any harm to actually study up on all the data that the scientists have accumulated on the matter. And the bottom line is that there will be those who profit from what may be coming, new ideas, new products, new innovations, more employment, but we will also have folks like you, as those who failed to keep up with the industrial revolution, who get left behind holding on to only their own empty words.
@the unvarnished truth @WSims007 While a natural climate change is certainly the norm for our planet, these changes take millions to billions of years.  There is indisputable evidence of human influence.  Look no further than the Ozone layer. Not so many years ago there was an issue and a visible hole in the ozone.  We then began to ban ozone harming products which was adopted virtually across the world.  Since that time the ozone has repaired itself.  To say that our climate change is all caused by humans would be irresponsible, but so would saying we have nothing to do with it. Â
Bah!!!! I want spring already!
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@the unvarnished truth @Nancybratt uh...the spring equinox (aka first day of spring) isn't until tomorrow (20th). Sunday was the start of Daylight savings time.
The recent forecasts of large storms have been a little off lately. I guess we will see. A few days ago, the forecasters were saying this was going to be very wet and potent. Â
@lakeview knock on wood....
Nice and calm at Sand Point.