Weather with Cliff Mass

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!

I will provide the forecast, which includes the start of meteorological summer!

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I provide the weekend forecast and talk about the major aurora expected tonight.

I will provide the latest weekend forecast and tell you about the major aurora that should be visible tonight

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This podcast answers the question:   how long are weather predictions skillful?   The answer may surprise  you....

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.

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.

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.

Several folks have asked my why high pressure produces low clouds in our region....this podcast explains why.  Plus, a chilly, but sunny forecast.

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.

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.

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.

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!