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!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Winter Weather to Continue
National Weather Service - Portland sent a very good synopsis of our current weather conditions and what is expected in the next couple of days. No need to reinvent the wheel so here is the latest, condensed slightly to include potential Cowlitz County information:
There is potential for some accumulating lowland snow early Tuesday morning, January 17 that may affect the morning commute. The main threat for snow accumulations will be above 500 feet, but some locations on the valley floor may get a quick inch of snow if under a snow shower, while other valley locations may see only snow showers and no accumulation.
There is a more potent storm system expected Tuesday night and Wednesday.
· SYNOPSIS:
o A very cold air mass remains over the Pacific NW and will continue through Wednesday. A weather disturbance will move across the area late tonight into Tuesday morning and will produce some light snow accumulations, mainly above 500 feet.
o A stronger system with much more moisture will move into the region from the southwest Tuesday night into Wednesday. This system will overrun the existing cold air with the potential to produce some significant snowfall accumulations over part of the area. The challenge in this system is how fast the cold air will erode, and geographically, where the rain-snow transition line will be. This system also has the potential to produce strong, damaging winds for the Coast and Coast Range. Breezy to windy conditions will be possible in the Willamette Valley.
· PRIMARY AREAS IMPACTED:
o Late Monday night into Tuesday morning: Another batch of organized snow showers will impact most areas, with 1 to 3 inch of snowfall accumulations possible above 500 feet. Locations below 500 feet may get a quick inch of snow if a shower passes over the area, but other locations may get no accumulations. This scenario is similar to the Sunday (Jan 15) snow showers that occurred.
o Tuesday night into Wednesday morning: Wintry precipitation potential, primarily as snow in the North Willamette Valley, Clark County/Lower Columbia, Columbia River Gorge, and other areas of Southwest Washington. Snow is also expected in the Coast Range, Foothills and Cascades with this system.
o Strong, potentially damaging winds (mainly Wednesday am) along the Coast and Coast Range.
· IMPACTS:
o Hazardous travel conditions at times in most areas. The morning commute Tuesday may be impacted by slick roads.
o Significant lowland snow accumulations late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
o Strong, potentially damaging winds along the Coast and Coast Range Wednesday. These winds may down power lines and trees.
· TIMING:
o Early Tuesday morning (commute time): 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation, mainly above 500 feet.
o Late Tuesday night into Wednesday: Potential for significant snowfall accumulation and transition from snow to freezing rain over part of the areas.
o Early Wednesday morning through midday: Strong, potentially damaging wind storm.
· FORECAST CONFIDENCE:
o High Confidence:
§ High winds along the Coast and Coast Range early Wednesday.
o Moderate confidence:
§ An organized batch of snow showers early Tuesday morning with accumulating snow above 500 feet.
o Low Confidence:
§ Snow accumulations on valley floor Tuesday morning. Some areas may get a quick inch, other locations may get none.
§ Low confidence in the initial precipitation type and amounts of accumulating precipitation (e.g. snow, freezing rain, or rain) Tuesday night into Wednesday
· UNCERTAINTIES:
o Uncertainty remains rather high for the Tuesday night /early Wednesday system concerning the geographic location where the transition zone of snow, freezing rain and rain will be. This will be highly dependent on storm track.
o Also uncertainty on how fast the cold air will erode with the Tuesday night/Wednesday system.
There is a more potent storm system expected Tuesday night and Wednesday.
· SYNOPSIS:
o A very cold air mass remains over the Pacific NW and will continue through Wednesday. A weather disturbance will move across the area late tonight into Tuesday morning and will produce some light snow accumulations, mainly above 500 feet.
o A stronger system with much more moisture will move into the region from the southwest Tuesday night into Wednesday. This system will overrun the existing cold air with the potential to produce some significant snowfall accumulations over part of the area. The challenge in this system is how fast the cold air will erode, and geographically, where the rain-snow transition line will be. This system also has the potential to produce strong, damaging winds for the Coast and Coast Range. Breezy to windy conditions will be possible in the Willamette Valley.
· PRIMARY AREAS IMPACTED:
o Late Monday night into Tuesday morning: Another batch of organized snow showers will impact most areas, with 1 to 3 inch of snowfall accumulations possible above 500 feet. Locations below 500 feet may get a quick inch of snow if a shower passes over the area, but other locations may get no accumulations. This scenario is similar to the Sunday (Jan 15) snow showers that occurred.
o Tuesday night into Wednesday morning: Wintry precipitation potential, primarily as snow in the North Willamette Valley, Clark County/Lower Columbia, Columbia River Gorge, and other areas of Southwest Washington. Snow is also expected in the Coast Range, Foothills and Cascades with this system.
o Strong, potentially damaging winds (mainly Wednesday am) along the Coast and Coast Range.
· IMPACTS:
o Hazardous travel conditions at times in most areas. The morning commute Tuesday may be impacted by slick roads.
o Significant lowland snow accumulations late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
o Strong, potentially damaging winds along the Coast and Coast Range Wednesday. These winds may down power lines and trees.
· TIMING:
o Early Tuesday morning (commute time): 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation, mainly above 500 feet.
o Late Tuesday night into Wednesday: Potential for significant snowfall accumulation and transition from snow to freezing rain over part of the areas.
o Early Wednesday morning through midday: Strong, potentially damaging wind storm.
· FORECAST CONFIDENCE:
o High Confidence:
§ High winds along the Coast and Coast Range early Wednesday.
o Moderate confidence:
§ An organized batch of snow showers early Tuesday morning with accumulating snow above 500 feet.
o Low Confidence:
§ Snow accumulations on valley floor Tuesday morning. Some areas may get a quick inch, other locations may get none.
§ Low confidence in the initial precipitation type and amounts of accumulating precipitation (e.g. snow, freezing rain, or rain) Tuesday night into Wednesday
· UNCERTAINTIES:
o Uncertainty remains rather high for the Tuesday night /early Wednesday system concerning the geographic location where the transition zone of snow, freezing rain and rain will be. This will be highly dependent on storm track.
o Also uncertainty on how fast the cold air will erode with the Tuesday night/Wednesday system.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Cold Front Coming In
From Portland National Weather ServiceA 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.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Possible Snow this Weekend
From Portland National Weather Service
A cold front drops south from Alaska this weekend with a cold air mass pushing into the region. Cold air filters into SW Washington and Oregon beginning late Saturday then settles in place by Sunday. Additionally, moisture moves into the region at the same time in the form of showers. With the cold air already over the region. Snow showers are likely across the area.
Snow accumulations of a few inches are possible from elevations of 500 to 1000 feet and above. Though in a showery air mass accumulation of snow can vary significantly. Snow showers will reach the valley floor at time and in heavier showers snow may accumulate briefly.
A change in the weather pattern can be expected again by midweek with a potentially warmer and wetter pattern moving in, though details are uncertain at this time.
A cold front drops south from Alaska this weekend with a cold air mass pushing into the region. Cold air filters into SW Washington and Oregon beginning late Saturday then settles in place by Sunday. Additionally, moisture moves into the region at the same time in the form of showers. With the cold air already over the region. Snow showers are likely across the area.
Snow accumulations of a few inches are possible from elevations of 500 to 1000 feet and above. Though in a showery air mass accumulation of snow can vary significantly. Snow showers will reach the valley floor at time and in heavier showers snow may accumulate briefly.
A change in the weather pattern can be expected again by midweek with a potentially warmer and wetter pattern moving in, though details are uncertain at this time.
Red Cross Trainings Coming Up
People interested in volunteering with the SW Washington Red Cross and who have completed Red Cross orientation are encouraged to participate in two classes scheduled this month in Longview.
A Shelter Operations class will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, January 20th and a Shelter Simulation class will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st. Both classes will be held at Life Works, 906 New York Street in Longview.
Friday's class prepares volunteers to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team while meeting the needs of people displaced as a result of disaster. At the January 21st class, volunteers will acquire knowledge of Red Cross policies and procedures for setting up, running and closing a shelter during a disaster.
In addition, other Red Cross volunteers are needed to act as clients who are affected by a simulated disaster. For more details or to RSVP, please email Kelly Anderson at kanderson@swwashington.redcross.org or call 360-693-5821, ext 105.
A Shelter Operations class will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, January 20th and a Shelter Simulation class will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st. Both classes will be held at Life Works, 906 New York Street in Longview.
Friday's class prepares volunteers to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team while meeting the needs of people displaced as a result of disaster. At the January 21st class, volunteers will acquire knowledge of Red Cross policies and procedures for setting up, running and closing a shelter during a disaster.
In addition, other Red Cross volunteers are needed to act as clients who are affected by a simulated disaster. For more details or to RSVP, please email Kelly Anderson at kanderson@swwashington.redcross.org or call 360-693-5821, ext 105.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Woodland Phone Network Maintenance
On Monday, January 9, 2012 from 9:00 p.m. to Tuesday January 10, 2012 3:00 a.m., Frontier and QWEST/Century Link will be conducting network maintenance in the Woodland, WA Central Office Switch, Exchange 360-225. 9-1-1 trunks will be affected and need to be taken down during this scheduled maintenance.
The 9-1-1 trunks will be re-routed to an alternate 10 digit number that will ring directly into the 9-1-1 Center and will be processed by the Cowlitz County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. The re-route will be seamless to citizens calling 9-1-1 from the Woodland service area. Should a citizen encounter any problems reaching 9-1-1 during this maintenance period, an alternate 10 digit number will be available to reach a 9-1-1 Dispatcher.
Citizens will be able dial 9-1-1 as they currently do today. The call will automatically be transferred by the phone company to an alternate 10 digit number, and the call will be answered at the Cowlitz County 9-1-1 Center. Should the caller encounter any problem or if they are unable to make contact with the 9-1-1 Center, they can dial direct to 360-225-7076 and the call will be answered by a 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher.
The 9-1-1 trunks will be re-routed to an alternate 10 digit number that will ring directly into the 9-1-1 Center and will be processed by the Cowlitz County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. The re-route will be seamless to citizens calling 9-1-1 from the Woodland service area. Should a citizen encounter any problems reaching 9-1-1 during this maintenance period, an alternate 10 digit number will be available to reach a 9-1-1 Dispatcher.
Citizens will be able dial 9-1-1 as they currently do today. The call will automatically be transferred by the phone company to an alternate 10 digit number, and the call will be answered at the Cowlitz County 9-1-1 Center. Should the caller encounter any problem or if they are unable to make contact with the 9-1-1 Center, they can dial direct to 360-225-7076 and the call will be answered by a 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher.
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