Monday, November 16, 2009

What a wind storm in the Pacific Northwest looks like...

This time of year in Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest, we live with "Chinooks". At ground level, these are relentless windstorms consisting of 30 - 60 mph gusts (occasionally much higher) that blow for hours at a time. They are usually followed by large-scale "Pineapple Express" (this is an ENSO year) weather systems  that dump lots of rain at comparatively warm temperatures.  This melts the early  snow in the mountains and lowlands, creates flooding and havoc all through the county. It also creates a terrifying/exhilirating "acoustic" experience. In Bellingham, this phenomenon happens regularly enough that damage is somewhat limited: the weak trees fall, the dead branches drop, the Nooksack floods enough to discourage building (almost!) and encourage flood prevention.  Still, the weather is exceptionally dramatic. I have been in short story buildings downtown and felt them sway from the fourth floor. Note the 150 knot winds below at 300 MB. From satellite, voila ici:


[Pictures credit to www.nrlmry.navy.mil and squall.sfsu.edu]

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