We received some rainfall this week, which was much needed. The good news is that the red-flag areas in the Cascade Mountains received more rain than the Salish Sea. However, we only got slightly over ¼” of rain in August, compared to the average of just under one inch. For the year, we have received 14.38” of rain, while the average is 21.79”. Unfortunately, there is no rain expected for the next 10 days. However, the 96hr 500MB Chart indicates that the seasonal trend of the jet stream drifting south has started, which will allow for some storm systems to bring rain relief to our area.
Currently, the Pacific High is weak (1030MB) and elongated, which means it can be pushed around by low-pressure systems. This will allow a thermal trough to expand along our coast, which will move inland on Saturday as a weak weather system moves across the Salish Sea on Sunday. Although the 48-hour surface forecast chart shows a cold front headed our way, it is not strong enough to break through our coastal buffer zone.
In the Salish Sea, we can expect a weak ridge of high pressure to rebuild over the coastal waters on Labor Day, which will be pushed out by another weak system on Tuesday. Unfortunately, this means we can expect predominately light air racing in both Bellingham and Maple Bay with great parties on the docks. At least it won’t be raining!
As we mentioned last week the tropics are certainly getting interesting to watch especially as we enter the most active part of hurricane season. Idalia showed how fast a system can develop and become quite destructive, especially over the extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Today’s National Hurricane Center chart for the North Atlantic shows no less than five active systems with one more potentially developing off the coast of Africa. Of the five shown only Idalia hit land and none of the others look to pose any threat to North America.
Enjoy the last “official” weekend of summer. Be safe and be careful with those beach fires!
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)