Friday Updates

Please visit this site every Friday as we plan to post our weekend Cascade forecasts.
Click here for current local radar
Issued Friday 1-30-09 11:15 AM PT
A weather system will move in later today and spread precipitation to the region for this afternoon, evening, and into Saturday morning. Then a brief drying trend for Saturday for most regions on Saturday afternoon and for part of Sunday. Then for Sunday another weather system moves in to spread precipitation for the Olympics in the late morning into the West Cascades by the afternoon and into East Cascades late Sunday. Lower confidence in the Sunday forecast given some of the conflicts in the forecast models.

Extended forecast indicates above average prec. for the Cascades and with temperatures forecast to be below normal that will be good for the snowpack

Mountain Weather Seminar March 31
At the Seattle Mountaineers Clubhouse, No registration necessary. No fee. Members and non-members welcome. Weather is the biggest limiting factor for outdoor recreation in our marine climate. Understanding and -- more important -- predicting our mountain weather is a critical skill. Come learn from an expert. Mike Fagin is founder of Washington Online Weather (www.wowweather.com), a Mountaineers Alpine Scramble grad and a professional weather forecaster. Mike will give us an overview of "machinery" of western Washington weather - what forces give us wet or dry conditions? He will share his favorite sources of accurate mountain forecasts to check before leaving home. Then he will talk about forecasting in the field. What do various cloud formations portend? Does that shift of wind direction mean anything? Is that gray sky OK or is it time to turn tail and scat? If it's wet here, will it be better east of the passes? Mike Fagin forecasts not only in our area but also for major Himalayan expeditions. Reduce your mountain misery quotient. Learn skills to help you keep dry and happy.
Location: The Mountaineers
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115

Pacific Northwest Extended Outlook

New Contest
Guess:
This next contest will involve forecasting the temperatures and precipitation for two cities each week over a 11 week period. One of the cites will be from the West Coast the other will be a city not in the west but will be in the United States. To assist you we will provide links with the average temperatures and precipitation and links for forecasts from other sources.
Prize:
Barometric Weather Forecaster by Honeywell.

Click here for picture of this station
Real-time temperature and humidity readings and minimum/maximum temperature histories at the base unit. It also features weather-trend graphics that depict 12- to 24-hour forecasts, a barometric pressure graph, programmable high/low temperature and ice alarms.

Enter
Need to enter by 1-26-09 and fill out form on this site or take content from this pate and email to address below
Click here for link to sign up
Or you can email to WeatherForecastChallenge@yahoo.com

Main forecast page is
Click here for link for information


Extended Outlook from 1-30-09 to 2-7-09
Forecast models are indicating that the strong ridge of high pressure that has been anchored over the West Coast will break down. Several forecast models are indicating above average precipitation and average to below average temperatures during this period. This forecast would be consistent with the current weak La Nina conditions that have currently formed over the equatorial Pacific. During La Nina (Below average sea surface temperatures) the Pacific Northwest normally gets above average precipitation and below average temperatures. Thus, this would be a good trend to add to the snowpack

Extended Outlook- New Contest

Winner of the last contest for guessing how much snowfall would occur at Sea Tac Airport was Frank L, his guess of 15.7 inches of snowfall from 12-15-08 till 1-15-09 was the winning guess. Actual snowfall was 16.1 inches. Frank will win the Tubbs Men’s Couloir Mountaineer snowshoe donated by K2 Sports www.tubbssnowshoes.com Donated by K2 Sports http://www.k2sports.com/index.html We announced the winner today since it will be dry for the next several days with temperatures above freezing for Sea Tac.

New Contest
Guess:
This next contest will involve forecasting the temperatures and precipitation for two cities each week over a 11 week period. One of the cites will be from the West Coast the other will be a city not in the west but will be in the United States. To assist you we will provide links with the average temperatures and precipitation and links for forecasts from other sources.
Prize:
Barometric Weather Forecaster by Honeywell.

Click here for picture of this station
Real-time temperature and humidity readings and minimum/maximum temperature histories at the base unit. It also features weather-trend graphics that depict 12- to 24-hour forecasts, a barometric pressure graph, programmable high/low temperature and ice alarms.

Enter
Need to enter by 1-26-09 and fill out form on this site or take content from this pate and email to address below
Click here for link to sign up
Or you can email to WeatherForecastChallenge@yahoo.com

Main forecast page is
Click here for link for information

Extended Forecast:
Forecast models indicate a return to cooler conditions starting next Tuesday as a trough of low pressure drops down from the north to bring freezing levels down to about 4000 feet. The wildcard at this point is precipitation as the models continue light amounts of precipitation. Lower confidence in this extended forecast especially as it relates to precipitation