Weak El Nino Sort Of

It looks to be a weak El Nino year. Probably slightly warmer, drier, and milder. Very close to normal though.

Dry and slightly colder

It has been dry. It will stay dry (for a few weeks, barring minor sprinkles). Its getting colder with longer nights. Yawn.

Fire not Drought

Air quality is bad near Wenatchee. Also, we're not in a drought as the cumulative precipitation for the year is actually slightly above normal.

Still dry

If we're more lenient in what counts as "rain" (0.01" to 0.02") we are now breaking a record. Its still dry. No, really.

Smoke but not Russian

Smoke from fires east of Seattle is affecting Seattle. Russian fires aren't affecting us anymore.

Smoke cools and warms

During the day, smoke blocks solar radiation from reaching the surface, cooling things below it. At night, it acts as an insulating layer, warming things below it.

Wind moves smoke

This just in, wind can move smoke. Winds from Eastern Washington move smoke from fires there to Western Washington.

Super Mirages

Super mirage - objects near surface are raised or stretched. Caused by temperature inversion (warm over cold). We have cold water & warm air (sometimes). Thus, we have super mirages.

It Rained

It rained. 0.01" at Seatac. No record broken. Drive carefully where it rained more.

Rain cometh

Sunday night will break the dry streak, short of 51 days. Careful driving Sunday PM / Monday AM - oil from roads mixed with rain = dangerous.

Dry Weather Makes Us Weird

We do weird things when its really dry.

Dry Spells

Longest ever dry-spell for Seatac is 51 days. We're at 45. Expected to at least make 48, making 2nd place. 52 is entirely possible. Cliff is excited.

Olga 2E

Olga 2E is a weather data point active for 122 years. It shows slight warming in the minimum temperatures, probably PDO related.