Our weak Pacific High has split because of a series of weak low-pressure systems drifting across the mid-Pacific. The high closest to the West Coast is only 1024MB while the low-pressure systems are 1010 to 1016MB. Plus we still have a thermal low over the Central Valley of California with a thermal trough extending well into Canada. All of these factors combine to produce the same wind pattern we’ve been enjoying for the last month with light air in the morning and then a building northerly in the afternoon as the onshore flow comes down the Strait of JdF. The Strait will be the place where we have the most wind again this weekend. In other words, perfect weather for powerboating or hydroplane racing will prevail over the rest of the Salish Sea.
The slight twist for this weekend is something you can see in today’s satellite picture with the monsoonal moisture from the four corners area in our SW that has worked its way north and into Montana and the rest of the Rocky Mountain States. Some of that instability and moisture may work their way into Eastern Washington Saturday night and Sunday morning with the potential for some light rain and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms and very dry vegetation are not a good combination this time of the year.
That weak low-pressure system has a cold front that may brush the outer coastal waters late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Our best chance for some moisture may occur Tuesday afternoon or early evening as a slightly stronger system moves into our area. It won’t last and by next weekend we will be back to our great weather.
The other features of note this weekend are the 500MB charts which are showing that the jet stream is finally starting to move south and by 8 Aug the jet stream will be coming ashore at about 52N. This is what may allow more storm systems into our area, just not in the immediate future.
Enjoy the weekend!
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)