Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Wind and Rain Storm Totals

Here are the peak wind gusts and highest rainfall totals from around the Pacific Northwest for the last 24 hours ending at 3pm PST.

Information courtesy of Steve Pierce, President, Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society

24 hour peak wind gusts ending at 3 PM PST

Station
Elev
MAX 24 Hr Gust


3560 ft
100
3160 ft
97
1700 ft
95
1086 ft
87
6739 ft
85
6870 ft
83
4964 ft
83
8150 ft
81
4438 ft
78
2400 ft
75
7001 ft
75
106 ft
74
187 ft
74
1797 ft
74
3480 ft
74
1421 ft
72
5909 ft
72
971 ft
71
1543 ft
71
4089 ft
70
5000 ft
69
0 ft
69
2170 ft
69
5085 ft
69
120 ft
68
120 ft
68
2035 ft
67
26 ft
67
74 ft
67
120 ft
66
1024 ft
66
28 ft
66
410 ft
66
5151 ft
64
679 ft
64
4500 ft
64
0 ft
62
2838 ft
62
5080 ft
62
30 ft
61
3480 ft
61
157 ft
60
4328 ft
60
1240 ft
60
6420 ft
60


24 hour rainfall totals ending at 3 PM PST

Station
Elev
24 HR Precip


2700 ft
6.61
3770 ft
6.10
2200 ft
5.94
3340 ft
5.60
3160 ft
5.15
2220 ft
4.74
4030 ft
4.60
40 ft
4.56
3400 ft
4.40
1010 ft
4.33
2800 ft
4.31
655 ft
4.30
762 ft
4.25
246 ft
4.18
2500 ft
4.10
3000 ft
4.02
3800 ft
4.00
3120 ft
4.00
2257 ft
3.95
459 ft
3.85
231 ft
3.80
2690 ft
3.78
395 ft
3.70
3250 ft
3.70
2035 ft
3.44
4869 ft
3.40
3120 ft
3.40
450 ft
3.30
4250 ft
3.30
3183 ft
3.28
2000 ft
3.23
11 ft
3.23
1797 ft
3.18
3402 ft
3.16
128 ft
3.12
2160 ft
3.10
4000 ft
3.10
2000 ft
3.00
1960 ft
3.00
4030 ft
3.00
4500 ft
3.00
482 ft
2.96
4219 ft
2.95
89 ft
2.92
1929 ft
2.92
2484 ft
2.91
1430 ft
2.90
570 ft
2.90
3080 ft
2.90
463 ft
2.87
640 ft
2.85
200 ft
2.81
67 ft
2.80
4449 ft
2.79
2961 ft
2.79
4600 ft
2.78
5269 ft
2.70
4000 ft
2.70
50 ft
2.68
52 ft
2.67
1421 ft
2.65
1150 ft
2.64
3560 ft
2.60
780 ft
2.60
4350 ft
2.60
150 ft
2.54
2320 ft
2.54
269 ft
2.50
666 ft
2.50
3250 ft
2.49
1753 ft
2.47
213 ft
2.46
1421 ft
2.45
295 ft
2.44
436 ft
2.40
5400 ft
2.40
2820 ft
2.39
840 ft
2.36
262 ft
2.35
200 ft
2.34
1580 ft
2.33
367 ft
2.32
1650 ft
2.30
10 ft
2.30
3500 ft
2.30
7 ft
2.29
390 ft
2.28
22 ft
2.28
36 ft
2.28
187 ft
2.26
26 ft
2.26
26 ft
2.26
35 ft
2.26
1350 ft
2.24
2680 ft
2.23
1450 ft
2.22
440 ft
2.21
286 ft
2.20
3070 ft
2.20
6250 ft
2.20
3360 ft
2.20
6020 ft
2.20
459 ft
2.19
210 ft
2.18
160 ft
2.17
236 ft
2.17
10 ft
2.16
285 ft
2.16
450 ft
2.16
303 ft
2.15
3350 ft
2.13
62 ft
2.11
295 ft
2.11
1560 ft
2.10
3200 ft
2.10
920 ft
2.10
3920 ft
2.10
5499 ft
2.10
2600 ft
2.10
3750 ft
2.10
4600 ft
2.10
3450 ft
2.09
2999 ft
2.09
203 ft
2.07
259 ft
2.06
233 ft
2.06
3120 ft
2.05
190 ft
2.05
285 ft
2.05
72 ft
2.02
3650 ft
2.00
3200 ft
2.00
2139 ft
2.00
220 ft
2.00
3200 ft
2.00
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Flood Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Tillamook, Clatsop, Washington, Yamill, Skamania, Pacific, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Clark, Multnomah, Clackamas and Columbia County lasting through 6:15 PM tonight.

Please be cautious as you travel. If a road appears to have standing water, choose an alternate route.

Read below for full details on the NWS advisory.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED AN

* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...
CLATSOP COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
COLUMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
MULTNOMAH COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
NORTH CENTRAL CLACKAMAS COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
TILLAMOOK COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON... WASHINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
WESTERN YAMHILL COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
CLARK COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...
COWLITZ COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...
SOUTHERN PACIFIC COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...
WAHKIAKUM COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...
WESTERN SKAMANIA COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

* UNTIL 615 PM PST TUESDAY.

• AT 1030 AM PST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR AND RAIN GAGES SHOW VERY HEAVY RAIN OCCURRING IN AN AREA STRETCHING FROM THE NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON COAST EASTWARD TO THE NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON CASCADES. THE AREA OF VERY HEAVY RAIN WAS NEARLY STATIONARY WITH RAINFALL RATES OF NEARLY ONE-HALF INCH PER HOUR.

• EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS HAVE REPORTED URBAN FLOODING IN THE TILLAMOOK AREA AS WELL AS HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH OF SEASIDE. SMALL STREAM AND URBAN STREET FLOODING IS HIGHLY LIKELY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS.

• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.
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Monday, November 21, 2011

High Wind Warning Tuesday for Coast and Vernonia

The National Weather Service has updated information about wind concerns at the coast
and Vernonia tomorrow.

A high wind warning is in effect from 6 AM to 10 PM Tuesday for the coast and Vernonia.
There will be an unusually long duration of strong winds along in these areas,
which may last through Tuesday night.

South to southwest winds will increase Tuesday morning to 30 to 40 MPH with wind gusts
up to 65 MPH.

Please read below for specifics.

...STRONG WINDS EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT... .

A POWERFUL BUT SLOW MOVING FRONT WILL GRADUALLY SPREAD STRONG SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS ONSHORE TONIGHT AND TUESDAY...AFFECTING MUCH OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. THE SLOW MOVING NATURE OF THIS FRONT WILL PROVIDE AN UNUSUALLY LONG DURATION OF STRONG WINDS ALONG THE COAST...POSSIBLY LASTING IN SOME AREAS THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. THE FRONT IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT SOUTH AND WEAKEN WEDNESDAY...FINALLY BRINGING AN END TO THE STRONG WINDS.

ORZ003-004-221330- /O.EXB.KPQR.HW.W.0017.111122T1400Z-111123T0600Z/ COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON- CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON- INCLUDING THE CITY OF...VERNONIA 921 PM PST MON NOV 21 2011

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 10 PM PST TUESDAY FOR THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST RANGE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 10 PM PST TUESDAY.

* WINDS AND TIMING: SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TUESDAY MORNING TO 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH...CONTINUING INTO TUESDAY EVENING. EXPOSED RIDGETOPS WILL LIKELY EXPERIENCE THE STRONGEST AND MOST FREQUENT STRONG WIND GUSTS.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: VERNONIA...SUNSET SUMMIT...BLODGETT...GRANDE RONDE...ALSEA...HEBO.

* IMPACTS: DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES MAY LOCALLY OBSTRUCT ROADWAYS. POWER OUTAGES MAY OCCUR TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.
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High Wind/Heavy Rain Event

The National Weather Service has alerted us of a heavy rain/high wind event heading our way. The worst of the storm will hit starting Tuesday morning (4-6 AM) and last for about 12 hours--through Tuesday evening.

Winds are expected to be around 25 mph sustained with gusts of 40-45 at times. As trees are still heavy with leaves, winds of this speed will mean there is a higher than normal chance of downed trees, branches and clogged drains.

There is the potential for two to four inches of rain which will likely cause areas of urban and small stream flooding.

Rivers of most concern are southwest WA & northwest OR rivers (Pacific, Clatsop, Tillamook counties).

Potential Impacts:
*Downed trees
*Power outages
*Flood potential

Still Unknown/Developing:
 *Lots of uncertainty in where the core of heavy rain will set up and possibly become stationary
*Moderate to high confidence in rainfall amounts

In preparation for these events, please take a minute to check your emergency kit supplies and make sure you have provisions for a possible power outage.
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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Wind/Rain Storms this Coming Week

NOAA has advised us of several storm systems that will be moving into the area next week leading up to Thanksgiving.

The main concern is coastal areas at this point. However, as these storms are still developing, there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding what their impact will be on inland areas.

Please read below for the full details of NOAA's weather statement. We will update our social media as we learn more.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
244 PM PST SAT NOV 19 2011

ORZ001>014-WAZ019>023-039-040-200645-
NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA-
GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-
SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE-
NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES-
CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY-
UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-WILLAPA HILLS-
SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-
GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...
LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...FLORENCE...VERNONIA...JEWELL...TRASK...
GRANDE RONDE...TIDEWATER...SWISSHOME...ST. HELENS...CLATSKANIE...
HILLSBORO...PORTLAND...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...SALEM...
MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...HOOD RIVER...
CASCADE LOCKS...MULTNOMAH FALLS...SANDY...
SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME...GOVERNMENT CAMP...
DETROIT...SANTIAM PASS...VIDA...LOWELL...COTTAGE GROVE...
MCKENZIE BRIDGE...OAKRIDGE...WILLAMETTE PASS...PARKDALE...ODELL...
COLDWATER RIDGE VISITORS CENTER...MOUNT ST. HELENS...FRANCES...
RYDERWOOD...RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...CATHLAMET...LONGVIEW...KELSO...
CASTLE ROCK...STEVENSON...SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...
WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR


...TWO STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEMS BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR HIGH
WINDS AND HEAVY PRECIPITATION TO THE REGION ON MONDAY AND
TUESDAY...

A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE COAST
EARLY IN THE UPCOMING WEEK. THIS UPPER LOW IS EXPECTED TO DRIVE
TWO STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEMS INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST ON MONDAY
AND TUESDAY. DEPENDING ON THE TRACK OF THESE FRONTAL SYSTEMS...THE
POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR VERY STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL TO
AFFECT SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON ON MONDAY AND
TUESDAY.

THE FIRST FRONTAL SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO PUSH ONSHORE EARLY
MONDAY...BRINGING A BURST OF HEAVY PRECIPITATION AND GUSTY WINDS.
SNOW LEVELS WILL BE HIGH ENOUGH THAT PRECIPITATION WILL FALL
PRIMARILY AS RAIN EXCEPT IN THE CASCADES AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF
THE COAST RANGE. GUSTY WINDS ALSO LOOK LIKE AN
ISSUE...PARTICULARLY ALONG THE COAST AND IN THE COAST RANGE.

THE SECOND FRONTAL SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN PUSHING ONSHORE
DURING THE DAY ON TUESDAY. AT THIS POINT...THE TUESDAY SYSTEM
LOOKS STRONGER THAN THE ONE FOR MONDAY. IF ALL OF THE PIECES OF
THIS STORM COME TOGETHER...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR VERY STRONG
WINDS FOR THE COAST AND COAST RANGE. THERE IS A CHANCE THAT GUSTY
WINDS MAY REACH THE VALLEY AS WELL. THE FRONT MAY STALL OVER THE
REGION THROUGH WEDNESDAY. IF THIS IS THE CASE...FAIRLY HEAVY
PRECIPITATION TOTALS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REGION. THIS COULD
LEAD TO FLOODING ISSUES IN SOME OF THE FASTER RESPONDING STREAMS
AND RIVERS IN THE REGION.

AT THIS POINT...THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE
FORECAST FOR EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER IMPACTS EXISTS...BUT IS FAR FROM CERTAIN.

PLEASE STAY TUNED OVER THE WEEKEND FOR WEATHER UPDATES. VISIT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PORTLAND FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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Friday, November 18, 2011

Light Snow Possible Friday Night - Saturday Morning

Light snow accumulations possible in higher elevations of the county late tonight and tomorrow morning. The snow level may fall to 500-1,000 feet--the lowest so far this season.

See below for full details from the National Weather Service.

WWUS86 KPQR 181750
SPSPQR

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
950 AM PST FRI NOV 18 2011

ORZ005>008-WAZ022-039-190600-
LOWER COLUMBIA-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-
CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-I-
5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...CLATSKANIE...HILLSBORO...
PORTLAND...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...SALEM...MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...
EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...LONGVIEW...KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...
VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL
950 AM PST FRI NOV 18 2011

...SOME LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS AROUND THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND THE SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON INTERIOR VALLEYS LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING...

WITH SNOW LEVELS EXPECTED TO BE AT THEIR LOWEST SO FAR THIS
SEASON LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY...SOME LOCAL 1 OR 2 INCH
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE HILLS AROUND THE PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER METRO AREAS...THE LOWER COLUMBIA AND INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...AND THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
WILLAMETTE VALLEY. THE SHOWERY NATURE OF THE PRECIPITATION WILL
MAKE THE ACCUMULATIONS A HIT OT MISS PROPOSITION AT ANY SPECIFIC
LOCATION.

A DISTURBANCE CURRENTLY OFF THE WASHINGTON COAST WILL BE SPREADING
THE SHOWERS ONSHORE TONIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY. AS THIS FEATURE
MOVES THROUGH SNOW LEVELS WILL FALL TO BETWEEN 500 AND 1000 FEET
TONIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY...AND POSSIBLY EVEN A LITTLE LOWER FROM
PORTLAND NORTH.
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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Winter Weather Advisory

The national Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow that
is in effect from 4 PM tonight to 4 PM tomorrow. Anyone planning on travel or recreation in higher elevations should be prepared for winter conditions.

The full details of the advisory are listed below.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR 259 PM PST WED NOV 16 2011

ORZ003-004-010-012-WAZ020-040-170700- /O.NEW.KPQR.WW.Y.0031.111118T0000Z-111119T0000Z/ COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON- CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON- NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-WILLAPA HILLS- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VERNONIA...SANDY...SWEET HOME... COTTAGE GROVE...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR 259 PM PST WED NOV 16 2011 ...

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THURSDAY TO 4 PM PST FRIDAY FOR THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST RANGE...WILLAPA HILLS AND CASCADE FOOTHILLS OF SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THURSDAY TO 4 PM PST FRIDAY.

* TIMING...A COOL UNSTABLE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL DROP SOUTH AND BRING SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATING SNOW TO THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS AND COAST RANGE BEGINNING LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY.

* ACCUMULATION/SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS WILL DROP TO 2000 FT LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND 1000 TO 1500 FT THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY. POTENTIAL SNOW TOTALS FOR THIS 24 HOUR PERIOD RANGE FROM 4 TO 8 INCHES IN THE COAST RANGE TO 6 TO 10 INCHES IN THE FOOTHILLS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING. &&
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Monday, November 7, 2011

Nationwide EAS Test This Wednesday

On Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. Oregonians will hear on their radios and see on their televisions a test of the emergency alert system (EAS). The test will last approximately thirty (30) seconds. Normal programming will return following the test. This is a nationwide test organized by the FCC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This test will be different than those we have had in the past. The November 9 test will utilize a "live" national alert code, i.e., a coded message that will present itself as an actual emergency announcement, not a test. This is necessary in order to allow FCC and FEMA to test the actual working order reliability of legacy EAS equipment and the state of readiness of EAS operators and participants. Television stations are being encouraged to run a scroll at the bottom of the screen throughout the test stating that it is just a test.

Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), FEMA, Broadcasters, NOAA and many other agencies are diligently trying to get the word to people that this is, in fact, a test. Often, citizens who are unsure of whether the alert is real or a test, place calls to 911 which tie up the phone lines for legitimate emergencies.

If anyone has questions about the test, please do NOT call 911. Please tell your neighbors and friends about this test so that Oregonians will be the most informed of all the states and will not be caught off guard by this unusual test of the EAS equipment.

More information can be found at www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

Information courtesy of Oregon Emergency Management and FEMA.

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