Weather with Cliff Mass
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131 episodes
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!
This podcast describes the nature of Northwest freezing rain events and describes the major shift to warm/wet weather this week.
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.
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.
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.
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.
La Nina conditions, with high pressure along the coast, will bring dry conditions to the Northwest for 7-9 days.
I start with the forecast, with everything from heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, and then describe the challenges of predicting snow in our region.
My podcast talks about some active weather ahead, with cooler than normal temperatures this week...and the potential for a major snow-producer in the mountains starting next Sunday! Even the lowlands might see some flakes!
Will global warming increase the chances of westside wildfires in the Northwest? Was climate change behind the recent fires and smoke west of the Cascade crest? I provide the answer in this podcast.
When will the autumn rain return to the Northwest? I will tell you in this podcast. And I will take on the related issue: how far in time can meteorologists predict the weather? How has that changed over the past decades?
Amazingly, the latest forecast models indicate no rain for the next 10 days. I will tell you the story about that. And in the second half of the podcast, will tell you why we are in the middle of fog season and why smoke can enhance fog formation.
Hurricane Ian is in the news and this podcast describes how hurricane forecast skill has changed over the year and why. And I also provide an amazingly warm, dry forecast for the new week.
How could a small, dying fire in the Cascades result in some of the worst air pollution in recent Seattle history. I will explain how. And also provide you with a very promising forecast for the weekend.
My podcast will start with a very favorable weather forecast for our region--perfect temperatures, little smoke, and no rain. The bulk of the podcast will discuss the history of wildfires over the region, noting that summer smoke is our normal condition.
This podcast takes on Northwest smoke. I explain how it is highly three-dimensional and why smoke can be visible aloft but never make it to the surface. I also give you the latest forecast, with warm/smoky conditions on Saturday followed by substantial improvement and cooling on Sunday.
