El Niño. Will Summer 2017’s El Niño intensify severe weather in the US? Perhaps, if and when it does arrive. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been Neutral (within 0.5°C of the mean annual temperature) since January and will most likely stay the same through at least June. We’re in the spring ENSO predictability
Read MoreManaging Western Water Rights. Take a critical element to life, add in its limited and weather dependent cycle, throw in jurisdictions from several states, the Federal Government and Native American tribes, large cities which demand huge flows of said resource, conservation requirements, environmental groups, farmers, ranchers and orchard growers and you have a start, barely,
Read MoreThe description, Atmospheric River, formerly known as Pineapple Express or the even older, Pineapple Pipeline, refers to the flow of moisture, heavy rain, originating in the sub tropical Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. Flows of this nature are carried in a stream, guided by the Jet Stream and high and low pressure gradients towards the West
Read MoreForensic Meteorology. Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) brings weather to the courtroom. Earning the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Consulting Meteorologist certification opens the door for the world’s premier meteorologists to exercise their technical competence, professional character and field experience in weather-related legal cases. Only a couple hundred are present in the AMS’ directory. Less than eight
Read MoreAn often overlooked area for legal and civil actions is the role the forensic meteorologist plays in reviewing Historical Weather Data. Advice and historical references can play a large part in the reconstruction of conditions at specific times and places from the records available. Interpretation of these records can illuminate local weather conditions that may
Read MoreAviation and in particular the National Naval Aviation Museum located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station was on my agenda. It was only a couple of weeks ago but circumstances brought about a trip to Pensacola, Florida just as the predictions of snow for Eastern Washington were starting to fall faster than the actual flakes.
Read MoreRogue Waves – also known as episodic, abnormal, extreme, freak, monster and killer waves – are more than twice the average height of the tallest third of a region’s waves. The threat, posed in oceans and large lakes, appears unexpectedly swiftly, can be responsible for thousands to millions in damages and claim dozens of lives.
Read MoreAirline Accidents Updates and injuries and the first thing you think about is fatalities. Late October (2016) there were two different aircraft accidents one in Chicago at O’Hare and the other in Fort Lauderdale Florida occurred. Thankfully no fatalities occurred. Two different types of aircraft were in use, two carriers but some at least superficial
Read MoreEvery fall the big question is what will this winter weather forecast bring? Forecasting three days, or even seven days has become quite accurate in general. Going out three months however, the record leaves a lot to be desired for many of the recent forecasts. Here in the Northwest skiers want to know how much
Read MoreFog formation accidents compose 24% of all aviation accidents. The monetary impact of accidents, injuries, delays and unexpected costs from fog is about $720 million annually. Visibility of less than one mile – called fog – is far more obstructive than mists – visibilities greater than one mile. Most accidents aren’t from hitting structures protruding
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