• Sailing is all about the Weather.

    Big into the exploration of Atlantic Hurricanes since Katrina came uninvited into his world, James (Jim) Gurley (JamesG161) has followed every Tropical Storm birthed in Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean waters since. Being a boater, he knows that we often need more time to prepare than we get from the TV weather folk. Jim relies on the science of storm development to share early warning info with friends and fellow boaters.

    Early in 2018, Jim and John Shepard, (JSSailem) started to chat about the weather data available. John asked Jim to help forecast Pacific NW storms, and this morphed into discussions on weather forecasting.

    For John, sailing in the PNW is sometimes hit and miss. One day is ugly, then a string of beautiful days but no wind, followed by a series of blue-sky days and 12 knot breezes. Being ready for those great sailing days means you need to look to the Pacific Ocean and what is brewing. John has been into Pacific NW Weather since the 1970’s when his first PNW November storm hit bringing more than 40 days and 40 nights of continual rain.

    Together we want to share information, new APPs, safety, and thoughts about letting the weather help you. Identify some of the resources for sailors and help prepare you for your next sailboat outing.

    It is far better to go out on the water knowing what to expect in weather terms, than to be out on the water and see dark ominous clouds suddenly appear, unprepared.

Mild weather is the start to October for the PacificNW

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
21,858
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I follow a local weather forecaster that many friends believe has magical connections. Rufus has volunteered long-range weather forecasts for PacificNW farmers for over 30 years. He has a great eye, and some say a crystal ball for the weather developing in the North Pacific.

His call on Monday for the start of October 2024: Mild temperatures and rain-free days. It's time to get those last-minute tasks done, such as preparing the boat for winter and cleaning the gutters. As sure as the sun rises in the east, we will see rain come November.

Here are Rufus's observations.
The current long-range outlook is dry.
Other than a possible shower or two in the far NW corner of the PNW (Vancouver Is., northern WA Cascades) early this week and again this coming weekend, we do not see ANY notable precipitation through at least Oct 20. Sure, models do trend back-n-forth, but for now, the charts keep stable High pressure patterns blocking any normal fall Pacific storms from our region.​
Easy forecast: Mild temps, with very little risk of frost, over the next 2-3 weeks. Stop by again on Friday for an update. Maybe rain will return to our forecasts.​
“No drunken sailor ever spent money as fast as a sober congressperson.”
-Rufus​
 
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WayneH

.
Jan 22, 2008
1,066
Tartan 37 287 Pensacola, FL
I've had enough DRY! The next time the PNW gets a little rain, please send it to Austin, TX. I'm nearly tempted to ask for a hurricane even. Maybe. NAH.