Here it is the 6th of January and we are almost 1” behind the average rainfall for this date and almost 2” behind where we were a year ago. Looking at the upcoming weather this will probably not change over the next week as we will have warmer than normal temps with scattered rain.
Today’s surface analysis chart and sat pic show yet another impressive set of low-pressure systems off of our coast with more lurking. The problem for the Duwamish Head Race will be that these lows and attached frontal systems will be directed either due north, paralleling the coast, or even off to the NNW. This will keep the wind at 5-12 knots from the E-SE in the morning before the gradient eases as the front moves offshore. By about midday, the breeze will ease to about 5 knots and become variable. Plan to finish before mid-afternoon when the Sound will glass off from Alki to South of Des Moines. Luckily, tidal currents will not be much of an issue.
Also of interest today is the 48hr surface forecast chart which shows two lows combining off the California coast and a third low-pressure system in the western Pacific that is forecast to undergo bombogenesis as it intensifies from 989MB to 963MB.
The 500MB charts also are not changing much with the jet stream maintaining its zonal flow across the Pacific and coming ashore in Southern California.
As these fronts continue to pass offshore the coastal waters will continue to experience occasional strong breezes and high seas.
For the race at least it will be a relatively warm rain in light air.
Be Safe and have fun.
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)