I don’t know about you but we’ve certainly had enough of this freezing, cold weather. The good news is that the end is in sight starting Saturday with the temperature remaining above freezing for all of next week. We are going to have one more very cold evening tonight with another blast of Fraser River outflow. As a warm front comes into the area tomorrow morning, temps will finally rise above freezing.
December 31 500 M B 
December 31 Surface Analysis 
January 1 Surface Forecast 
January 2 500 MB 
January 2 Surface Forecast 
January 3 Surface Forecast 
January 4 500 MB 
January 4 Surface Forecast
Today’s surface analysis chart shows a large area of high-pressure (1033MB) in the mid-Pacific with another area of high pressure (1026MB) over southern British Columbia. Between these two highs is a stalled occluded front which will slowly move over us tomorrow. By tomorrow the inland high will strengthen to 1036MB while the offshore high will weaken to 1027MB. This also signals a change in the jet stream as it changes from a meridional flow to a more zonal flow. Today the jet stream is coming ashore near Ensenada, over the next few days it will move to the north and by the 4th of January, it will be coming ashore in Southern Oregon. This is what will keep the temps above freezing and allow more storm systems to come into the Pacific Northwest.
Today’s satellite pic is amazingly clear especially when you realize that the white you are seeing over land is actually snow on the ground. Note how Lake Tahoe stands out.
We will have breeze over the weekend as the Fraser outflow brings us North to NE winds of 15-20 knots. As the next front approaches, the winds will shift to a pre-frontal SE and build to 20-25 knots with 25-35 knots a possibility on Sunday. Once again probably a good time to check the boat and those mooring lines and fenders.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year!
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)