Note: This post talks about the impact of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation on historic weather in the Tri-Cities and is the first in a series on my thoughts for the upcoming winter. Other posts in this series can be found here after they are released. INTRODUCTION As we transition toward the cold season, arguably the […]
Tri-Cities Summer Weather Stats
Meteorological summer (June through August) is over and that means we have lots of fun new data to pour through! This summer ended up being a mixed bag. We didn’t experience as extreme of heat as usual, but our mean temperature was somewhat above average. Interestingly, we were below average for precipitation. Let’s start off […]
Does a snowy winter lead to an unusually hot summer?
For my statistics class at WSU Tri-Cities, I had to do a research project on a set of data. Having heard repeated statements and questions along the lines of “since it was so snowy this winter, that means it will be unusually hot this summer, right?” When I learned I had to do this project, […]
Will we break March’s snowfall record?
March is a beautiful month. Highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s. Warm enough to be able to go outside without more than a sweater but definitely not close to the heat we experience in the summer. That is, except for this year. So far this month, we have broken four daily record lows […]
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 […]
Do the Tri-Cities really get 300 days of sunshine a year?
It seems like I’ve heard some variation of this phrase semi-frequently – the Tri-Cities gets 300 days of sunshine a year. I know I’ve found myself saying it when I tell someone I’m from Washington and they reply with the typical “oh, so you like the rain.” It’s even so common that the Tri-Cities Visitors […]
Shrinking glaciers on Mt. Rainier
Author’s Note: This is the last of a weekly series on geology for a class I am taking this semester at BYU-Idaho. This week’s prompt required students to show the effects of climate change in our local area. Other posts from this assignment can be found under the “Geology 111” category. If I had to pick […]
Three 2017 Hurricanes added to list of Costliest Tropical Cyclones
Last year’s hurricane season was definitely one for the record books. While national focus on the affected areas has waned, cleanup still continues in many regions. Yesterday marked the last day that Puerto Ricans could apply for assistance (archive) from FEMA. In the Houston area, the Houston Chronicle reports (archive) renovations continue at the Houston […]
Sediment transport in Death Valley
Author’s Note: This part of a weekly series on geology for a class I am taking this semester at BYU-Idaho. This week’s prompt required students to go outside, take a photo showing an example of sediment transport and explain what is going on. Other posts from this assignment can be found under the “Geology 111” […]
Union Gap Slope Failure
Author’s Note: This part of a weekly series on geology for a class I am taking this semester at BYU-Idaho. This week’s prompt required students to find a recent mass wasting or flood event in their state. Other posts from this assignment can be found under the “Geology 111” category. Okay, so no, Union Gap […]