Bruce’s Briefs; Wx for 19, 20, 21, and 22 July

While the rest of the country will be trying to survive some dangerously high temperatures this weekend, we will be enjoying a lovely weekend with highs in the mid to upper 70’s and lows in the upper 50’s and low 60’s! In other words, a perfect weekend to be out on the water.

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As you can see from the surface charts, the Pacific High has yet to really set up and there are still a number of weak low-pressure systems coming across the Pacific and into the Pacific Northwest. These systems are aided by a couple of upper level, cut-off low-pressure systems that without any jet stream over our area, are just sort of drifting around keeping us with occasionally cloudy and wet weather. I would say keep them coming and let the rain continue as this will help shorten the fire season. Speaking of rain, this has been the wettest July we’ve had in years. As of today, we’ve had just over an inch of rain when by this time the norm would be closer to ½ inch.

With a weak high-pressure system offshore, we will still have a weak onshore flow which could result in breezy conditions in the central and eastern Strait of JdF in the late afternoon and into the evening hours. Don’t be surprised if we see 15-25 knots of westerly in those times, particularly late Sunday.

For Puget Sound, you can expect light northerlies. For the San Juan and Gulf Islands there should be light northerlies on Saturday that will switch over to light southerlies Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

For the folks doing the deliveries north, take lots of fuel, switch on the auto-pilot, and keep a sharp lookout for logs.

Have a great weekend, use lots of sunblock, and be safe out on the water.