Next week will be quite interesting with the potential for a tropical system to form in the Gulf of Mexico and a heat dome to set up in the Northeastern US with the possibility of setting a slew of record high temps. This is after Florida saw rainfall above 2”/hour in some places, leading to widespread flooding over the last couple of days. We may have some scattered rainfall on the radar right now (Friday afternoon) with the possibility of thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon, however, we will still take every bit of rainfall we can get.
Today’s surface analysis chart shows that we have a weak Pacific High (1029MB) trying to set up off of San Francisco with a weak low-pressure system (1012MB) roughly centered at 52N 138W off the north end of Vancouver Island and another weak high-pressure system (1017MB) in northern BC. All in all, very little pressure gradient over the Pacific NW. This will keep the weather unsettled and winds on the light and variable side, with the possibility of a diurnal westerly coming down the Straits in the afternoon. These westerlies could build to 25-30 knots in the afternoon in the Eastern Strait of JdF. Just how strong those westerlies will be will depend upon how much clearing and heating of the inland areas there is in those areas.
The other charts of interest are the 500MB or upper-level charts which show a meridional flow that comes south out of the Gulf of Alaska coming ashore south of the Salish Sea. This will keep temps on the cool side tomorrow with some gradual warming by Wednesday as the jet stream moves north.
Also of note, last night was the start of the Downtown Sailing Series in Elliott Bay. 55 boats turned out for a near-perfect evening of sailing and fun. The course was the same as always and if you need to be reminded about how much fun casual racing is, this is The Series. Everyone is welcome, the post-race party is a blast and Elliott Bay Marina is the consummate host.
Water temps are still cool so wear those life jackets and use that sunblock! Have a great weekend and don’t tell your friends outside of the Pacific NW how lucky we are!
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)