Definitely would not have been the best weekend for Opening Day but Race to the Straits would have been a hoot! Oh well, next year.
The surface charts for today show a weak series of high’s over the Pacific NW with a couple of low-pressure systems with attached fronts offshore that will show up over the weekend. The jet stream flow continues to be zonal with upper level low-pressure systems remaining on the north side of the jet stream and upper level high-pressure systems on the south side of the jet stream. This will keep unsettled weather coming into our area through most of next week. Welcome to spring in the beautiful NW.
May 1 500 MB 
May 1 Surface Analysis 
May 2 Surface Forecast 
May 3 500 MB 
May 3 Surface Forecast 
May 4 Surface Forecast 
May 5 500MB 
May 5 Surface Forecast
Tomorrow morning will start out with light winds over most of the area except for the Eastern end of the Strait of JdF. As the next system comes ashore tomorrow southerly winds will pick up over the area. This will continue through the day over the central Sound with 15-20 knots possible. Admiralty Inlet, the Straits and the SJ Islands will see slightly stronger winds from the SE.
As the front passes in the mid-afternoon a strong onshore flow will develop in the Straits bringing westerlies of 15-25 knots. As these are fast moving systems, the onshore flow will weaken Sunday but keep southerlies around for the central Sound. This will create yet another Puget Sound convergence zone for the area north of Everett with areas of heavier rain. Another reason why things will be so green, plants, roofs and sidewalks with moss, etc etc.
Anyway, maybe we can all look forward to the 5th of May when we can get back out on the water!
Keep your fingers crossed and have a great weekend!
Bruce has raced and cruised the Pacific Northwest his entire life. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Washington in Biological Oceanography and learned meteorology “to keep from getting kicked around on the race course.” Bruce spent nearly two decades as Associate Publisher for Northwest Yachting Magazine, retiring in mid-2015, and was the chairman of the board of trustees for the Northwest Marine Trade Association in 2014. (photo of Bruce driving Playstation is a bit dated, but cool)