Friday, January 18, 2008

A Whacky Forecast

Just got this weather email from KOMO TV in Seattle, I immediately went out and got some wood up on the porch for the wood stove.  I do see the "S" word down in about the middle of the forecast. But, I don't care~it's winter so "let it snow !!!!! "

"Dear Linda,

It's a forecast to make your head scratch...

First of all, we're in the middle of January, and the extended forecast has only one day with rain on it. Second of all, sunshine is pushing its way in the forecast next week, but it'll actually be colder once it does so. Next thing you know, carrying an umbrella will leave you wetter than the person going with just the jacket.

In the short term, the weather is still in the realm of the rational, with scattered rain showers retuning to the area as a weak system pushes in from the north. Light showers will develop after midnight, with lows gradually dropping down to the low-mid 30s.

Saturday will be a little wet at times -- but what falls will be scattered and light. Highs will make it into the low-mid 40s.

It's Saturday night where the weather takes an abrupt turn as some arctic air seeps in behind the front. It's possible when the cold air begins pushing through that any lingering showers might be in the form of flurries or snow, but accumulations will be spotty and very light -- maybe a dusting to 1/2". But we'll be just about out of moisture by then, so no big concern.

The bigger thing you'll notice is a cold, north wind beginning to blow.

By Sunday, clouds clear to sunshine from the north as the north winds increase. Wind speeds could reach strong levels as high as 45-50 mph near the outflow of the Fraser River Valley. The areas most affected would be western Whatcom and Skagit Counties, the San Juan Islands, and the North Coast Those who live in Bellingham and environs know this is an annual winter ritual up there, so bundle up.

The rest of Western Washington will also see breezy north winds, but not as strong (maybe 20-35 mph).

As for temperatures Sunday, highs near Bellingham will only be in the low-mid 30s, with wind chills in the teens and 20s. Highs elsewhere should make the upper 30s to near 40, with wind chills in the 20s/low 30s.

Sunday night will be clear and very cold. Lows will reach the teens near Bellingham and in the other typically cold outlying spots, and well down into the 20s for everyone else.

Winds abate some for Monday, but we keep the sunshine. Highs will be near freezing in Whatcom County, and mid-upper 30s elsewhere.

We keep the sunshine going Tuesday through Friday, and we'll slowly moderate the temperatures. Highs will be in the upper 30s Tuesday/Wednesday, then slowly warming into the low-mid 40s by the end of the week. Lows will be in the teens/mid 20s early, then gradually warm to mid 20s/low 30s by Friday.

Long range forecast models keep us dry through next weekend, making for 10 days of 11 dry in January. So at least you won't have to be concerned about that umbrella leaving you all wet :)

Have a great weekend!

Updated Friday 4:10 p.m. more...
Sincerely,
KOMO 4 Weather Producer Scott Sistek"

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Doesn't seem the weather is whackier (if that is a word LOL) this year then ever?  We went from in the 60's to the teens then snow ~ just wierd.  You better batten down the hatches with the wind coming in!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

you just keep that snow and that arctic cold up in your neck of the woods and don't send it south :)

seems like it is going to be a hodge-podge of weather this next week in your neck of the woods; a little bit of everything all wrapped up together

betty

Anonymous said...

We've  been in the 30s but supposed to warm up. For a few days at least. Hope you don't have to get out in the bad weather.
Barb  

Anonymous said...

We are in the rainy season ..love Jan xx