Questions Answered...

I had a few questions I thoight I should answer, starting with this one from Linda.. 1) You had mentioned that it might get cold again around the middle of January. Is that still possible? What's your thoughts on getting some snow? My Response: I believe we are still on track for a cold spell sometime around the middle of January and around the end. All major indices such as the SST's, PNA especially and AOI have all been pointing to some kind of cold trough in the NW by this time. Also, signs such as low pressure, heavy rainfall and such are always a good clue that you're on track for a cold spell. It's a weather book classic if you would, and though things always don't go as they should in the world of weather so it may or may not happen. As for the current forecast, looking at the latest GFS model, it seems that there is a trough like I mentioned, trying to set up around the 17 of January. To me, that's too far out to be comfortable so I will wait until its at least in a 10 day time frame before making any mention to it. I think our chances for Snow will be great, we aren't done seeing the white stuff just yet. Hope this helped. 2)(12/24/2005) hey grant! Its 61 degres at astoria and newport! I think you we're right when you said that global warming was guff. But its obviously hapening locally along the coast. Does this agree with what the trpocis numbers are saying? My Response: Thank you Jason, and Global Warming will always be a scientific debate as long as I live unless proven right at this second with current weather. Global Warming has nothing to do with why the coast has seen warm temps. We get this every winter, a SW Flow which brings mild and wet temps to the region, also good windstorms! I wouldn't be too down and out about that, things will be back to normal shortly. And yes, the tropics do agree with this pattern, we are in a weak La Nina state, which means wet wet wet and occasionally mild with some good cold spurts in between to give us some snow. This winter has been particularly weird, in terms of ridge placement allowing us to stay cold as in early December. It will be an off and on winter. Hope this helped some of you, I am sorry about the slow response, I have been quite busy with some work lately. I promise to keep updating the blog almost daily with more tidbits and forecast updates. Thank you for those who read and come back, any questions..feel free to ask! Take care!