The Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of the region under a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms on Sunday. For the Columbia Basin, this includes areas that are along and east of a line stretching from Condon and Irrigon north to the Tri-Cities and Othello. More broadly speaking, it also encompasses most of northeastern Oregon, […]
Tornado climatology of the Columbia Basin
This post focuses on tornado statistics in the Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin. For specific details about the Richland tornado that happened on March 31, head over to this AgWeatherNet article that I contributed to. Tornadoes are a rare occurrence in the Columbia Basin, but they aren’t unheard of. This is something that we were reminded […]
Possible inversion buster this weekend
Areas of fog and freezing fog are expected through Friday and with it little change in daily temperature for those who are stuck in it. Those out of the fog and low clouds can expect mostly sunny conditions Thursday and increasing clouds Friday, with warmer conditions. This is similar to the past couple days and […]
Don’t board the hype train: A look at our snow chances next week
Note: The data presented in this post is accurate as of midday Wednesday. Snowflakes in weather apps present an annual struggle for meteorologists and weather enthusiasts. Last night, a friend of mine texted me showing exactly that – a major weather app with snow in the forecast for the Tri-Cities. Before we get too deep, […]
It won’t be Snowmageddon, but we will have snow
Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Pendleton posted Winter Storm Watches for their entire warning area. For the Tri-Cities and Hermiston, the statement calls for 3-6 inches of snow falling Friday Night through Saturday Night. Right now, they’re expecting 3-5 inches in Walla Walla and Pendleton for Friday Night through Sunday Morning. This is […]
We need to close the Pacific Northwest Radar Gaps
Doppler radar is one of my favorite tools for viewing weather data. Its amazing to me that using radio waves, we can see light rain and snow, tornadoes, and fine details in hurricanes. Not only can we see where these are, but we can also estimate wind speeds, freezing levels, and hail sizes – all […]
Excessive Heat Watch issued for Wednesday and Thursday
Well, I’ll start this update off with an apology. In my last update, I wrote about a major pattern change that would essentially mark the end of our 100-degree days for the season. In fact, I’ll even directly quote myself: “This shouldn’t even lead you to believe that we won’t hit 90 again at some […]
Major pattern change incoming
If you’re cursing the heat and feeling like it’s been warmer than usual, you’re not wrong. We haven’t set any records this July for the Tri-Cities, but our average high for this month has been 95.3, nearly four degrees above the “average average” (hope that’s not too confusing) of 91.4. I had a brief reprieve […]
Boardman Climate Summary for April 2018
The following is a review of the weather conditions recorded at my personal weather station in Boardman, Oregon. Data recording began the morning of April 4, so there is nothing available for the 1st through the 3rd. Wind data was not accurate until the end of the month, so it is not included. These data […]