A 3 Cam Panorama Time Lapse Of 1/12/20 Convergence Zone

Yesterday was an eventful weather day.  I put together a 3 camera panorama time lapse of the convergence zone that rolled through.  The panorama view makes it easy to see all the moving parts....

What Are You Doing In Preparation For This Coming Cold Weather?

With this extreme cold weather coming, I have been hoping I haven't missed anything that needs to be winterized.  In the past on Facebook I have started a list of items that need to be winterized in preparation for cold weather and asked folks to contribute their thoughts.  It was a good conversation.  We can all learn from each other.  So I'll start this with a simple list of 10 items....  (I have already done a lot more, but they are specific to my home).  Leave your comments and after my review they will be posted.

1. Drain all garden hoses
2. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers
3. Cover crawl space vents
4. Service and run generator
5. Fill all extra gas cans
6. Fuel up cars
7. Make sure cars are parked where they can get out if the snow piles up
8. Lift windshield wipers vertical so they don’t freeze to the windshield
9. Flush boat motors with environmentally safe antifreeze
10. Lower boat outdrives so they drain 

Rumors? .... Or Early Forecasts For Preparedness....

I have been watching comments from respected meteorologists around the area about next weekend for a while now.  The models and ensembles have been very interesting.  Some models have been promising a NASTY arctic flow and gobs of snow.  Most of the other models not so much or nothing at all.  

So, at this point we can classify the “snowmaggedon” forecast for next weekend as “rumor”.  Anything beyond 3 days out is a tough call and the accuracy can be questioned.  At 3 days they do become very accurate.

Personally I like these “rumors”….  I look at them as a reminder to prepare.  I really think the forecasters are doing us a service.  I leave a lot of the winterization projects to the last minute, because many years they are not necessary.  So, thanks to the “rumors”, I am going to prepare “progressively” to do some of the winterization projects that I wouldn’t have prepared for otherwise.  I’ll be reviewing all that needs to be done and restocking necessary supplies now instead of later when it could be too late….  (been there and done that)….  If this doesn’t happen, it is not a problem.  I’ll have extra supplies for next year.  

Key point here….  “rumors” can be good if it inspires us to be prepared.

Meanwhile, I think we all should be watching the upcoming forecasts closely.  I have a Twitter List on my site that includes many talented meteorologist comments from our area.  I use it daily to get a lot of my information.

Video Review of New Years Eve Storm 2019

Happy New Year to everyone.

2019 went out with some fanfare....  It was a very active weather day.  Our winds topped out at 40 mph and we had some brief heavy showers.  There were several rainbows and a long lasting, unusual cloud over Whidbey Island that almost looked like a roll cloud, but it's not.  There was so much to look at I decided to just put together a video summary of the day from the 3 cams.

Below is an image of Double Bluff on Whidbey Island that shows why the National Weather Service posted Gale Warnings....