Summertime Safety Tips

I know this is a re-run, but it's still relevant!

It's summertime and that means fun in the sun and cooling off in our area's beautiful rivers and lakes. After enduring months of rain and cold, of course the Washingtonian has a ravenous, pent-up need for sunshine! Please remember that our rivers are swift and very cold, no matter what the outside temperature.


Swimming can be a great way to have fun while getting full body exercise. However, each year between 4,000 and 6,000 people drown in the United States. It is the second leading cause of accidental deaths for persons 15 to 44 years old. Shockingly, it is believed that two-thirds of the people who drown are believed to never have had any intention of being in the water. Since tragic water accidents happen quickly, we have compiled the following information to help everyone have a safe and fun summer.

By keeping these few simple things in mind, you can make your experience in the water much safer.
*Learn to swim before you go into the water. Sounds silly, but many people think it will come naturally, and it really doesn’t.

*Swim near a lifeguard so help is available if you need it

*Never swim alone

*Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present

*Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water

*Alcohol and swimming don't mix

*Protect your head, neck, and spine by jumping feet first into unfamiliar waters

*As soon as you believe that you may be in trouble, call or wave for help

*Follow regulations and lifeguard directions

*Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances

Swimming and playing near water are favorite summer time activities of children everywhere. Parents and guardians need to pay extra attention and make sure they protect little ones from the dangers that water presents. Here are some points to consider about water safety for children.
*Never leave a child alone near water. Accidents happen in seconds, so if you have to leave, take your child with you.

*Watch out for neighborhood pools. Whether it is your own or your neighbors, toys that are left around the pool can attract children to the water.

*If you have a pool, make sure you surround it by a fence that is tall enough that children cannot climb over, and with a gate that locks.

*Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. Lessons won't make your child "drown-proof," but they will increase their safety and prepare them for a lifetime of fun in the water.

*Teach your children to always swim with a buddy.

*Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy.

*Parents should be trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

More Winter Weather on the Way

From Portland National Weather Service:

Another winter storm expected Tuesday with low snow levels through Thursday and significant snowfall in the mountains. Another strong but cold storm system will impact SW Washington later Tuesday and especially Tuesday night through Thursday. This storm will bring another significant snowfall to the Cascades, the Cascade Foothills and the Coastal Mountains.

Snow levels with this system will also be very low. Snow levels will be around 500 to 1000 feet across SW Washington and will remain in that range through Wednesday and Thursday. Heavier showers could lower the snow level at times to the valley floor.

At this time, snow amounts at lower elevations are uncertain. Several inches are possible in the hills around the area Tuesday afternoon through Thursday. Be sure to continue to check the latest forecasts and statements concerning new developments on this winter weather event.

High Rivers

From the PDX Weather Service

Flood watch remains in effect through Wednesday evening for rivers and creeks in NW Oregon and SW Washington

* Heavy rain and snow melt are expected to cause rivers and creeks to rise this afternoon and evening and remain elevated through Wednesday. One to three inches of rain expected, with the possibility of three to five inches.

* Minor flooding is possible on several rivers and creeks.

* A "Flood Watch" means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

For entire forecast, visit their website here.

Weather Update

The Weather Service just held a briefing about the heavy rain storm forecasted for tomorrow and Wednesday. The presentation is attached. Here’s a summary:

• A rainy weather system will come onshore tomorrow morning bringing heavy precipitation to the area on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• The focus of the rain will initially be Northwest OR / Southwest WA, starting tomorrow morning. It will move south throughout the day.
• This event will not be as severe in duration or focus as the rain storm last Wednesday and Thursday. They forecast .75 – 1.5” of rain in the inland valleys, with another .5 – 1.0” Wednesday into Thursday.
• At this point, no rivers in Cowlitz County are expected to flood. The primary rivers of concern are Coastal/Coast Range rivers, Willamette tributaries, and the mainstem Willamette.
• It is possible that the storm may stall at some point tomorrow, but there is no way to know where. If that happens, the unfortunate recipient could receive a significant amount of rain in a very short time.
• The Columbia River Gorge (for any travelers) is definitely a place to avoid. Snow, freezing rain and wind are in store for Cascade Locks east.

We will monitor this storm event and update you if there are substantial changes to the forecast.

Livin' on the Edge

Following a briefing from the Portland National Weather Service (NWS), it appears that Cowlitz County is on the outer edge of a High Wind Advisory. They are predicting winds of 25-35 mph with gusts of 50 mph, though it will likely be less in our area and concentrated further southwest. The advisory is beginning at 10:00 p.m. Friday night until 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The freezing level should drop which should minimize flooding concerns.

So far, whether through happenstance, providence or voodoo, we have been shielded from the brunt of Mother Nature's machinations. No, I didn't get a thesaurus for Christmas. Why do you ask? Anyway, there is another storm system following behind the current one which should arrive around Tuesday. NWS is watching this storm pattern and we will know more on Monday. Keep those umbrellas and flashlights handy!

Looking Ahead....

Latest from NWS regarding later this week:

Heavy precipitation later this week may bring rapid rises to rivers and streams in NW Oregon and SW Washington. Beginning late Wednesday, a parade of relatively warm and very wet weather systems will move into the Pacific NW that will cause significant rises on area rivers and streams later this week. These weather systems will bring periods of moderate to heavy rainfall. The rainfall will be augmented by melting snow that fell at lower elevations the past couple days.

Models are consistent in aiming several inches of precipitation towards SW Washington and NW Oregon bringing 2-4 inches to the area Wednesday with additional rainfall later in the week.

This is a situation that bears watching. Those living near rivers or streams should remain alert and keep an eye on the weather and river forecasts.

So, that's directly from the National Weather Service. I like how they throw in that Wednesday will bring a "parade" of bad weather. Worst.Parade.Ever. Also, note that they said "this is a situation that bears watching", not "this is a situation that bears are watching," as I first thought upon my initial reading. While, indeed, bears are watching, we cannot trust them to forecast weather during this time a year...too drowsy and all that.

Anyway, stay alert and keep your eyes on the weather. And watch out for bears posing as meteorologists.

Got some time on your hands?

Looks like tomorrow is shaping up to be a good day to stay inside and catch up on some reading! Want some suggestions? Try: The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley or One Second After by William Fortschen. Don't want to be bummed out and paranoid? Try The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede.

I'm sure there are tons of preparedness or survival stories, these are just recent ones I can vouch for because I've read them.

If you don't have to go out tomorrow--don't!

Low Elevation Snow

Following a briefing with the Portland National Weather Service (NWS), it appears that we are in for another day of low-elevation snow. The event will begin late tonight and continue into Wednesday afternoon. They are predicting about one to three inches on the valley floor, with more above 500 feet. High winds are expected along the coast and some may drift our way.

The NWS is following a storm pattern that will bring a lot precipitation (in the form of rain, not snow) later this week. We will know more in the coming days.

Cold Front Coming In

From Portland National Weather Service

A cold front will bring low snow levels Saturday night through Monday, followed by a very active weather pattern bringing a series of storms mid week.

A cold front drops south from Alaska ushering a cold air mass into SW Washington and NW Oregon beginning late Saturday, then settles in place by Sunday. Showers will spread across the area with lowering snow levels Saturday night. Snow accumulation of a few inches are possible through Monday from elevations of 500 to 1000 feet and above, though in a showery air mass accumulation of snow can vary significantly. Snow showers will likely reach the valley floor at times and in heavier showers snow may accumulate briefly.

A change to a more mild, but wet and windy pattern sets up as a series of storm systems will affect the area beginning Tuesday and likely to continue through late next week.

The transition out of the cold air mass may bring a mix of wintry weather with more low elevation snow or freezing rain in and near the Columbia River Gorge sometime on Tuesday. In the Cascades, significant snow accumulations will likely make travel across the Cascades difficult.

Strong winds are also possible at times, especially on the coast and in the mountains, while a moist air mass may bring heavy rain as the storms make landfall. Interior lowlands may also
see some windy conditions and heavy rain as well. Rivers and streams are likely to respond with sharp rises.

At this time, details on the timing, strength and track of the storms are somewhat uncertain. Stay tuned for future statements and forecasts for the latest information.

Weather Update

From Portland National Weather Service

..WET AND WINDY CONDITIONS THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK...

A STRONG JET STREAM WILL DIRECT A SERIES OF WET AND WINDY SYSTEMS ACROSS SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK IN RAPID SUCCESSION. THESE SYSTEMS WILL HAVE SNOW LEVELS WELL ABOVE PASS LEVEL. HIGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED AT THE COAST AND IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE COAST RANGE AT TIMES...BEGINNING TONIGHT.
WINDY CONDITIONS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE AT TIMES INLAND...INCLUDING TONIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY.

WHILE NO PARTICULAR SYSTEM APPEARS THAT IT WILL CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING...RIVERS AND CREEKS WILL RISE FAIRLY QUICKLY. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OR MORE ARE CERTAINLY POSSIBLE ALONG THE COAST...COAST RANGE...AND IN THE CASCADES...WITH MORE THAN 2 INCHES IN THE VALLEY.

AS THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND APPROACHES...A COLD FRONT WILL COME THROUGH ON FRIDAY BRINGING SNOW BACK TO THE CASCADES. WHILE MUCH OF THE SNOW WILL FALL AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS...SNOW LEVELS WILL BE DROPPING BELOW PASS LEVELS...SUCH THAT SNOW COVERED ROADS ARE POSSIBLE FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO EARLY SATURDAY.

RESIDENTS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON ARE URGED TO CLOSELY MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

Air Stagnation Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued an Air Stagnation Advisory from now until 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Air quality is expected to remain poor throughout the week due to a strong temperature inversion trapping pollutant in the lower atmosphere. There may be some improvement Wednesday as a weather disturbance passes to the north and east, but will be brief.

An Air Stagnation Advisory is issued when limited movement of an air mass is expected to allow pollution levels to increase with conditions persisting at least 72hours.

Wind Advisory Remains in Effect

From the National Weather Service:

Strong winds will continue across portions of NW Oregon and SW Washington through early Wednesday morning. The front is expected to shift south and weaken early Wednesday bringing an end to the strong winds.

Wind advisory remains in effect until 10:00 p.m. this evening for the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia region. Gusty south winds will persist through the evening with south winds 20 to 30 mph with occasional gusts around 40 mph.

Flood Warnings for Naselle & Willapa Rivers

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for the Naselle and Willapa Rivers. The Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers are still anticipated to remain below flood stage. There is already some minor flooding in the Westover Drive area and will likely be more urban and small stream flooding throughout the day into tomorrow. Forecasters predict another windy day on Wednesday with gusts possibly reaching 60 mph in Western Washington. Keep those umbrellas and flashlights handy!

Road Closure and River Conditions Page

Don't forget to check our road closure and river conditions page if the weather gets extra nasty this week. Go to our website www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem and look for the tabs along the left hand side.

Storms a comin'

The Portland National Weather Service is forecasting a large storm to hit our area Tuesday morning bringing high wind and heavy rains. They anticipate it will hit the Lower Columbia area around 4 a.m. Tuesday morning and lasting until Tuesday evening.

Winds are expected to be around 25 mph sustained with gusts of 40-45 at times. With the trees still heavy with leaves combined with winds of this speed, 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. The storm should head south by Wednesday to annoy the residents of northern California.

As always, we urge people to check their emergency kits and be ready for power outages, localized flooding and disruption to daily routines. If you have questions, please feel free to contact our office.

Great weather outlook....

....if you're a duck. If you're not a duck or a soggy-weather enthusiast, then you might be less than excited over the National Weather Service winter weather outlook. For all the gory details, click here.

In a nutshell:
--Wetter than average precipitation expected
--Cooler than average temperatures
--Above normal snow in the Cascades

So, to prepare for the long, soggy winter ahead, I propose making sure you have the following:

1. Well stocked disaster supply kit for staying at home in case roads are washed out. Make sure you have plenty of emergency lighting and heat options.

2. Well stocked evacuation kit if you live in a low-lying area. Make sure it's stocked with warm clothes, extra medications and anything you might need if you had to be away from home for a few days.

3. Copious amounts of hot chocolate mix and marshmallows.

4. Plane tickets to a tropical destination, preferably for February or March when YOU JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

5. If you can't afford the previous, pop some Vitamin D and have someone shine an LED flashlight in your face while warming you with a hair dryer and simultaneously spraying "Hawaiian Aloha" scented Febreze. It's almost like a warm, tropical breeze. Almost.

Frosty times ahead....

From the PDX National Weather Service

..FIRST FROST OF THE SEASON POSSIBLE EARLY NEXT WEEK FOR THE OUTLYING VALLEYS...

AFTER A MILD START TO THE WEEKEND...A SHARP COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SUNDAY AND MONDAY. A MUCH COOLER AND DRIER AIR MASS WILL SETTLE INTO WASHINGTON AND OREGON BEHIND THIS COLD FRONT.

HIGH PRESSURE WILL STRENGTHEN ACROSS SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON MONDAY...LIKELY ALLOWING SKIES TO CLEAR MONDAY NIGHT FOR THE COAST AND INTERIOR VALLEYS. AS WINDS DECREASE OVERNIGHT...TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO PLUMMET INTO THE 30S FOR MANY VALLEY LOCATIONS MONDAY NIGHT. SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT AS WELL.

WHILE WIDESPREAD FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME...EVEN TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER TO MID 30S CAN GENERATE FROST ON A CLEAR NIGHT. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR PLANTS CAN BE DAMAGED OR KILLED BY TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER TO MID 30S IF LEFT UNPROTECTED.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY IN THE FORECAST...THOSE WITH SENSITIVE VEGETATION MAY WANT TO USE THE UPCOMING WEEKEND TO TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS IN CASE A FROST DOES INDEED OCCUR EARLY NEXT WEEK.

Take Winter By Storm

Do you want to know everything there is to know about winter weather safety? Do you want free printable emergency prep checklists and emergency contact cards? Do you want the option to read the information in a variety of languages? Of COURSE you do!!

Well, lucky for you there is a fantastic website called Take Winter By Storm where you can do all of those things! It's even specifically for residents of Western Washington, which makes it even better since we are a special breed of American. Off topic, have you seen the new Pemco Insurance Ads about Washingtonians? If not, check them out here, they are hysterically funny and right on target. I know I fall into a few of those categories.

The sun might be out, but the water's still COLD!

From Portland National Weather Service

..RIVER AND WATER SAFETY REMINDER FOR THE WARM WEATHER FORECAST THIS WEEKEND...

The forecast for sun and warmer temperatures brings with it excitement for outdoor recreation, but it also brings a specific hazard--playing in or around water that is cold, high and swift.

The Columbia River will remain high through the weekend. A flood warning remains in effect for the Columbia at Vancouver and many recreational areas that are typically accessible this time of year will be inaccessible. In addition, other area rivers, such as the Clackamas and Sandy, will see increased flow in response to snow melt in the Cascades as temperatures warm.

This weekend will be the warmest so far this year and pleasant enough to attract people to area rivers and lakes. Unfortunately, springtime conditions often result in drowning fatalities in local waterways. Water conditions may appear harmless, but the waters in rivers and creeks are dangerously cold and swift. Caution must be exercised around rivers and lakes.

Water temperatures this weekend will range from the mid 50's in the Columbia to as low as 40 in the streams draining the Cascades.

River hazards include getting caught in debris, capsizing and difficulty getting out of the river due to fast currents and high water covering landing areas. Hypothermia can occur in a short amount of time and shock from falling into cold water can result in drowning.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO TO THE WATER THIS WEEKEND...FOLLOW SAFE BOATING AND RECREATION TIPS OFFERED BY VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:

NWS SAFE BOATING TIPS: www.nws.noaa.gov/os/marine/safeboating

RED CROSS:
www2.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/heathtips/safetywater.html

WASHINGTON STATE PARKS:

www.parks.wa.gov/boating/safety

Chance of Snow at 1000 feet

I told you guys not to trust the groundhog's weather prediction. According to the doom and gloomers at the Portland National Weather Service, it appears low-level snow may come to our area with a prediction of 1,500 feet on Wednesday and 1,000-1,500 feet through Thursday. This may only lead to a light dusting of snow locally, but could affect driving conditions and have public safety impacts. Snow is also likely in the Cascade Foothills and the coastal mountains of Southwest Washington late tonight (Tuesday) through Thursday. Those flip flops and shorts are going to have to stay in the attic for a few more weeks..... Click here for the special weather statement from the National Weather Service.