My New Weather Podcast! Listen Now!

Starting today and available every Friday, I will be providing a weather podcast, available through my blog and a number of podcast channels (such as Spotify, Apple, Google, and more).

Each podcast will review the current weather situation, talk about the forecast, and provide insights into local weather features, weather events, or weather concepts.

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Wildfires are the Old Normal for the Pacific Northwest

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My podcast today will both provide the weekend weather forecast and talk about the history of wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. Wildfires and associated smoke are a major concern in the region, and some media, politicians, and others have suggested that wildfires and wildfire smoke are not normal and are a potent sign of a changing climate. They are not correct.  Wildfires and their smoke are a natural part of the Northwest ecosystem. What was not normal was the period of suppressed fire during the later portion of the 20th century. A good illustration is the visit of Mark Twain in August 1895, a summer in which the U.S. Weather Bureau noted "the sun was almost entirely obscured by excessive smoke from wildfires."   Twain was invited to speak in Olympia, where the chairman of the reception committee apologized for "smoke so dense that you cannot see our mountains and our forests, which are now on fire".  Twain retorted “As for the smoke, I do not so much mind,  I...
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The Time of Year You Can See the Air Move

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The Most Threatening Wildfire Period is Ahead. But Why? And a Warm, Pleasant Forecast.

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This has been a very benign wildfire season so far this year, with far fewer than normal wildfires over the western U.S., with considerably less than normal area burnt (see figures below). Number of wildfires by year:  WA DNR area The area burned by year:  WA DNR Area The area burned by year, California. But we can not become complacent!    Historically, the most threatening wildfire season in the Northwest is the end of August and early September as the atmosphere starts to cool. But why?  What is so threatening about the cool late summer/early autumn periods?  All is revealed in the podcast. And I also provide the forecast for the next week.  Very pleasant in the west, but a bit toasty in the east.  To listen to my podcast, use the link below or access it through your favorite podcast service. Some major podcast servers:     Like the podcast? Support on Patreon 
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