Monsoon Moisture and Pacific Northwest
There has been a lot of talk recently about monsoon moisture influencing the Northwest. You thought that monsoons only influence India? You will learn the truth in this podcast!
Aug 05, 2024•8 min
Weather with Cliff Mass
Atmospheric scientist Cliff Mass provides a weekly weather forecast for the Pacific Northwest, details current and future weather topics, and discusses related topics. Podcast is released every Friday at 9am.
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Episodes
Meteorological Summer Starts Next Week
I will provide the forecast, which includes the start of meteorological summer!
Jun 30, 2024•6 min
Rain without Clouds, the Upcoming Cooling, and Leeside Winds
The radar shows offshore rain, but it is not raining. This podcast explains why. I also give the forecast, with cooling and some showers possible. And I talk about strong winds on the eastern slopes of the Cascades..
Jun 21, 2024•8 min
Showers, Warm Up, and Eastside Winds
My podcast will discuss the origins of our current cool/showery weather and tell you why such cool weather in the west produces strong winds over the eastern slopes of the Cascades.
Jun 15, 2024•8 min
A Beautiful Saturday Before June Gloom Returns
It's a phrase that puts a shiver down the spine of all Northwesterners: June Gloom. And it's coming. But first we have a delightful Friday and a warm (but not too warm) Saturday. In this podcast, I describe the forecast and why we get June gloom every year.
Jun 08, 2024•7 min
The Heavy Rain Event and the Potential for Thunderstorms
My podcast will review the heavy rain event predicted for Sunday through Tuesday and then turn to a warm stretch expected from the middle to end of next week. But then is a surprise: the potential for thunderstorms next weekend in eastern Washington and Oregon, the Cascades, and maybe a few boomers drifting into western Wasington.
Jun 02, 2024•8 min
Memorial Day Weekend Weather Plus Western Washington Wildfire
In this podcast I talk about the weather forecast for this weekend and beyond, and then discuss the validity of predictions of increased chances of western Washington wildfires.
May 25, 2024•8 min
The Latest Forecast Plus How Far into the Future Can We Forecast?
In this podcast, provide the weekend and weekly forecast and describe the cool/soggy pattern we are in. And in the second segment, I describe the limits on weather prediction technology: how far into the future can we forecast and why it has gotten so much better.
May 18, 2024•11 min
Forecast and Aurora (Updated)
I provide the weekend forecast and talk about the major aurora expected tonight.
May 11, 2024•6 min
Forecast and Aurora
I will provide the latest weekend forecast and tell you about the major aurora that should be visible tonight
May 11, 2024•5 min
My Views on Global Warming and Climate Change
Several of you have asked me about my viewpoint on global warming and climate change. This podcast will outline my thoughts on this important subject and give you a bit of history and perspective.
Sep 05, 2023•16 min
A Wet Weekend Ahead and Why the New York Smoke Had Little to Do With Climate Change
This week the weather will be near normal and relatively dry, but that changes radically over the weekend, as a strong Pacific low center moves in and sticks around in our area. I will briefly describe this situation before turning to a detailed analysis of the major smoke event that hit the East Coast, including an explanation of why global warming was only a minor player.
Jun 14, 2023•14 min
Where do you get the best weather forecasts? And a cool weak ahead.
This podcast answers the question: where can you get the best weather forecast? Your smartphone?, from the National Weather Service website?, from your local TV weathercasters? or what? The answer may surprise you. And I also talk about the cool weak ahead.
Apr 17, 2023•11 min
Why is freezing at 32°F? And a snowy mountain forecast for this weekend.
This podcast answers an interesting question: why is freezing at 32°F? Why not 50 or 0? And I talk about a return of moisture to the Northwest, with heavy snow expected in the mountains.
Mar 31, 2023•8 min
The end of La Nina and an El Nino Winter Ahead
This podcast talks about the recent termination of a 3-year La Nina and the near certainty of El Nino conditions ahead. The weather implications of the change are discussed as well.
Mar 19, 2023•8 min
Are cold waves increasing over the Northwest? And a transition to meteorological spring ahead.
Several blog readers have asked whether global warming is increasing West Coast cold waves. The answer is no, and in this podcast I explain why. Plus, I talk about an encouraging forecast for more normal conditions in our region.
Mar 08, 2023•11 min
How long are weather forecasts skillful?
This podcast answers the question: how long are weather predictions skillful? The answer may surprise you....
Mar 01, 2023•9 min
Wind, Cold, and Snow Ahead. Plus a Primer of Northwest Gaps
This podcast tells the story of a cold, windy, snowy week ahead. And I provide the basics on the mountain gaps of the region and their influence on our weather.
Feb 20, 2023•12 min
A Deep Dive into the Upcoming Snow Event over Western Washington and Oregon
We are in the tail end of the lowland snow season west of the Cascade crest. But tomorrow and Tuesday some lowlands locations will see some snowflakes. This podcast does a deep dive into the event, explaining the complex meteorology that will occur over the next few days.
Feb 13, 2023•9 min
Plenty of rain and mountain snow this week. Plus, the two types of Northwest precipitation.
A series of weather systems will come through this week. I will provide the details. Major enhancements in mountain snowpack are expected. And there is the potential for much colder weather in about a week. In the second half of the podcast I describe the two types of rain we get in our region and tell you why.
Feb 06, 2023•10 min
Why Does High Pressure Produce Low Clouds in the Northwest?, Plus the Latest Forecast
Several folks have asked my why high pressure produces low clouds in our region....this podcast explains why. Plus, a chilly, but sunny forecast.
Jan 29, 2023•11 min
Atmospheric Pressure, King Tides, and the Potential for Cold Air and Snow Next Weekend
In the second part of the podcast, I give you a primer on atmospheric pressure, with particular attention to the impact on water levels and the potential for King Tides. I also provide the forecast: not much action this week, but the potential for FAR colder air over the weekend. Yes, even that four-letter word, snow, for some locations.
Jan 22, 2023•11 min
The Big Dry is Coming and The Truth about the Pacific Data Void
After a few more days of showers, a big ridge will develop over the eastern Pacific, bring dry conditions and sun to the entire West Coast. After providing the forecast, I take on the claims of Pacific weather data voids and describe the ability of meteorologists to monitor the weather everywhere in three dimensions.
Jan 15, 2023•12 min
The Origin and Prediction of Atmospheric Rivers. Plus, the Weather Forecast for the Week Ahead
This week I will take on the topic of atmospheric rivers-- the weather features that are now inundating California. And I provide the latest forecast for the next week.....not very exciting for the Northwest but threatening for California.
Jan 07, 2023•13 min
Where are the coldest and warmest areas of the Pacific Northwest during the winter?
With not much weather action for the next five days in Washington and Oregon, I skip the forecast today and talk about the mildest and coldest places in the Northwest during winter. Have a good new year!
Dec 30, 2022•7 min
The Story on Northwest Freezing Rain Events and a Major Shift in Our Weather
This podcast describes the nature of Northwest freezing rain events and describes the major shift to warm/wet weather this week.
Dec 23, 2022•10 min
Cold, High Pressure, and the Potential for Lowland Snow
This podcast will talk about cold and very high pressure moving south out of Canada. Will record high pressure be observed in our region? And a detailed forecast for the cold and snow of the upcoming week.
Dec 16, 2022•11 min
Why Don't Clouds Fall Out of the Sky? And a Cool, Dry Pattern After This Weekend
Clouds way millions of pounds but stay in the sky. I explain why. And I provide an interesting forecast for a wet start to the weekend, followed by very dry conditions.
Dec 09, 2022•10 min
Why is the air so dry? And the latest snow forecast for this weekend.
Why is the air so dry inside these days? I will explain why. And I will give an updated forecast regarding the potential for snow over our region.
Dec 02, 2022•10 min
The Thanksgiving Forecast and the Winter Weather of the Columbia Basin
This podcast starts with the forecast for the next week, with a very favorable forecast for Thanksgiving Day. I then turn to talk about the winter weather of the Columbia Basin, describing the "cold pool" that develops in its lower elevations, bringing low clouds and icy conditions.
Nov 18, 2022•8 min
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