The forecast is pretty simple for this holiday weekend, it’s going to be great. The only problem may be that the very hot weather we had earlier this week has created a real tinderbox in the PacNW. Already fires are kicking off in BC and it’s only a matter of time before they get going around here. Time to put those fireworks away.
The Pacific High continues to be weak however there are signs that it may be stabilizing and beginning to take a more normal shape and position. If you’re getting ready for TransPac the projected shape and position of the Pac High on July 6th should catch your eye. It’s getting stronger but well to the west and a further south than what we would call “normal”.
July 2 500 MB 
July 2 Surface Analysis 
July 3 Surface Forecast 
July 4 500 MB 
July 4 Surface Forecast 
July 5 Surface Forecast 
July 6 500 MB 
July 6 Surface Forecast
For the PacNW the high will keep our conditions warm and dry with some breeze in the Straits on Saturday and late Sunday. This morning near dawn we had some fog in the eastern and central Straits however it burned off very quickly. Winds over the rest of the Salish Sea will remain light with some thermal northerlies developing in the afternoon over the central Sound.
It is also interesting to note the 500MB (upper air) charts as the jet stream is now well to the north of us with the addition of an upper level low off of our coast. We’ll see how long that stays in that position as it will now help keep the smoke from the fires in BC from coming down into the Sound.
Enjoy your holiday weekend, discourage fireworks, and stay safe.
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)