OMSI Meeting Winter Forecast

By Rod Hill on 2009-10-20

I attended the A.M.S. meeting at OMSI last Saturday, which is a discussion about the up-coming winter.  El Nino is still strengthening in the Pacific waters, which gives the Northwest a winter forecast of below average rain and snow, along with mild temperatures.  If the El Nino becomes moderate in nature, the forecast confidence improves.  This winter's wildcard is the fact we are increasingly due for a powerful inland windstorm.  (The last big blow was 1995)  I do want to mention that global warming or climate change - which ever you prefer - is continuing to alter our weather.  Longer lasting blocking high pressure ridges can mean days of cold, dry east winds and increasing cut-off low pressure areas can bring longer lasting and more powerful storm centers.  It will be interesting to see in the coming decades if the above is impacted by El Nino's and La Nino's or not?  Only time will tell.

I also want to mention a meteor shower tomorrow morning, Wednesday the 21st before sunrise.  Skies will likely be cloudy, but just in case of surprise clearing, be on the look out for up to 60 meteors an hour!