Bland

The weather of late has been bland.  Looks like that will remain the case through approx. Jan 26.  Here’s the latest.

Chilly fog has dominated certain regions of the PNW primarily because there has been little ‘wind’ to stir things up.  The main change this weekend will be an increasing offshore flow component - wind - that will aid in clearing away the fog bank, but at the same time, dropping temperatures to the coldest of the season, to date.  Expect temps to fall into the 20s in nearly all west side locations by early next week.  Chilly afternoons, too.  East wind out of the Gaps, but not too strong.  Dry.

The fog clearing air flow will diminish again mid-week for 24-36 hrs — expect foggy bottoms to possibly return.  However, that will be short-lived, as the east winds will pick up again, based on High pressure building over the Continental Divide.  (NOTE: this development will really mess with firefighting in California, as the east winds could ramp up significantly by the end of next week.).  Afternoon temps should be a bit warmer than that of early next week, as the weekend of Jan 25,26 unfolds.  Dry.

Weekend of Jan 25,26: models indicate a weak system may approach the region from the the west, so our first chance for precipitation in quite some time takes place.  We are not confident there will be much rain, as the Low may make landfall south of Coos Bay.  As a result, Fraser Gap winds may pick up notably by Sunday the 26th.  Temps will be colder again, much like the current weekend.  Bland dry.

Charts keep the extended dry cycle in play on through the end the month.  The next threat for rain is being held off until Saturday Feb 1.  We may see an 'atmospheric race’ between a Low dropping down the Alaskan Panhandle and a Low moving in from the west; the first Low would usher in a chance for colder wx with snow showers, the other - plain ole' rain.  We’ll see.

Bottom line: bland weather ahead, with temperature changes being the only ‘watch point’.  Let’s hope February presents some moisture, esp for the snowpack.