So, our rainfall trend is unfortunately continuing so while we may have a bit of light rain on Sunday we will likely end up about .16” behind for the month even after our very wet start. For the year we are currently about 4” behind which is better than last year when we were 6.1” behind. The good news is that compared to the rest of the country we will remain unusually cool for July!
The surface analysis chart for today continues to show a weak Pacific High trying to set up for the summer. The good news is that by 2nd of July (96hr Surf Frcst Chrt) it is finally starting to find its identity. Pacific Cup racers won’t begin until the 15th of July, so plenty of room for change. We also still have another weak low-pressure system (999MB) with an attached frontal system in the Gulf of Alaska that will drag over us on Sunday. After that, the weather will remain fairly calm and even summer-like for the next week.
As you work through the charts for this weekend, you’ll notice that there will continue to be a lack of any kind of pressure gradient over the Salish Sea. Great news if you’re a powerboater, but not so good if you want to sail. So don’t expect much wind except in the Central and Eastern Strait of JdF Sunday and Monday night as a thermal westerly will slowly build and then ease after midnight.
The other charts of interest are the 500MB which show the jet stream coming ashore in Whittier, Alaska today and then slowly coming south over the rest of the forecast period. Then we have the chart for 2 July which features an interesting meteorological feature with not one but TWO upper-level cutoff lows in the Pacific. One just north of Japan and the other just south and west of Kodiak. Not sure if much will come from either system other than it will keep our weather cool and calm.
Have a great weekend, use the sunblock, and remember that the waters are still very cold.
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)