KPLU-FM: Weather with Cliff Mass
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Mass: Half-and-half weekend, then not so pretty next week
If you liked the light rain falling this morning, you'll get a bit more on Saturday, and possibly Sunday morning, says Cliff Mass, professor of Atmospheric
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Mass: Mother Nature to spoil outdoor Mother's Day plans
All you need is a quick look out the window to see a gorgeous day in store for Friday, with none of those morning clouds we've been seeing all week. The
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Mass: Welcome to a weekend that will get better and...
"We have an extraordinary weekend ahead," says KPLU's weather expert Cliff Mass. "And In fact, it's probably not going to rain until at least next weekend
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Mass: Back to cooler and wetter days, but be thankful...
Be thankful for normal, even if it's not sunny and warm, says Cliff Mass, KPLU's weather expert and a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University
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Coming soon to Puget Sound area: 'Extraordinarily warm...
Sick of the dreary weather? Fear not—a big change is coming, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass. “The cold and rain is going to turn into warmth and sun
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Cliff Mass investigates landslides, finds possible...
There's more rain in the forecast tonight and this weekend -- with some real downpours expected Saturday in the fabled "convergence zone" of south Everett
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Weekend forecast: Warm April showers to melt snowpack
Those showers that blew in on Thursday will keep blowing our way through Sunday, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences
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Ahead: Glorious weekend, then drier-than-normal spring
First, the good news: enjoy this weekend, which is shaping up to be wonderfully mild and full of sunshine with highs in the 60s across Western Washington.
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Snow or no snow, Northwest spring began months ago
Snow on the third day of spring has some people wondering: what gives? Well, actually, spring here began a long time ago, says KPLU weather expert Cliff
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Thank the rain shadow, get ready for Gore-Tex weekend
Expect more of what we've been seeing all week — "clouds, showers, breaks," says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of atmospheric science at the
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Fog burning off leaves classic "Northwest mild"
Fog burns off, leaving sunshine in its wake, this weekend. That's the forecast for Friday and Saturday, says Cliff Mass, professor of Atmospheric Science
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Winter is over, declares Cliff Mass
Winter is over, if you consider the threat of snow in the cities of Puget Sound a marker of winter, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of
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Seattle's boring winter gets zesty this weekend
It's nothing like the major storms across the midwest and eastern U.S., but western Washington is tasting a little bit of winter, finally. "After one of
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Clouds come and go this weekend, with Sunday looking...
Morning clouds should give way to afternoon sunshine Friday in many Puget Sound neighborhoods. But some unpleasant weather is headed our way for Saturday,
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Your smartphone could turn you into a weather station
While the Northeast struggles with a massive snowstorm, the same forces are keeping it mild on the West Coast, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a
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Goodbye drizzle: Spring-like winter weekend in store
Several days of drizzle are giving way to a pleasant--and unseasonably warm--weekend. The best day for outdoor plans should be Saturday, says KPLU weather
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Damp, not too cold -- a classic NW weekend
For a weather forecaster, this weekend is looking "pretty boring," says Cliff Mass, professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Washington and
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How to avoid that stagnant air, which is here 'til...
In some places, such as eastern Washington farms, they actually use giant fans to disrupt the inversion that causes stagnant air (which is what we've been
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Slippery roads, but lots of sunshine ahead
If you were up early this morning, you might have found ice on your patio or steps, and maybe on the streets. The current cold weather pattern, caused by a ridge off the Pacific coast, means the black ice hazard is high, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.The cold and dry weather will stay with us through the weekend, and at least until Wednesday, says Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.Black ice is the number one weather hazard here, and there's now a...
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A record dark December - and now the coldest week of the...
If you feel like last month was dark and dreary, you're not imagining things. KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass says December 2012 was one of the darkest on record."We've had a terrible period. It was one of the darkest Decembers we've had. Certainly we were in the top five of the last 50 years."He says in records kept for the last 13 years, we tied with December 2007 for the worst wet, damp and dreary skies.It won't be that bad in the days ahead. Cliff's forecast is for more typical Northwest...
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2012 was one of the wettest ever in Seattle area (but...
It's looking like the total annual rainfall, as measured at Seatac Airport, could rank in the top-5 since record-keeping began, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.A typical year brings about 38 inches, and we're in the range of 50 inches for 2012. That's despite one of the longest dry stretches ever, in August and September. Most of the rainfall came during a dreary late spring, and during the past six weeks.For the...
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A little drier weather ahead, and the most amazing snow
Snow in the Cascade mountains is the deepest in America these days, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, and the weather pattern is likely to stay the same well into next week.And, as for the dusting of snow, ice and sleet around portions of the Puget Sound lowlands, that should all melt off by this afternoon, says Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington."This is a day where you can't just look at the SeaTac forecast for your locale. There's tremendous...
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Rain and darkness coming, and a big question-mark for...
The next storm front is headed our way for Saturday morning, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. And Sunday afternoon could get a warmer, wetter blast.But, what's really intriguing him is the Monday forecast."The computer models don't agree," says Mass. Some bring the storm system's center north of Puget Sound, other models send the storm south."This is fairly strong ... so it could bring winds, even winds here to...
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Chillier and drier will bring white fluffy stuff to the...
The weather pattern has shifted, and that means less rain, more chills, says Atmospheric Scientist Cliff Mass, of the University of Washington.The pattern is giddy news for mountain ski areas, all of which should be open with light, fluffy snow this weekend, he says.Don't worry, though, the snow should stay away from the Puget Sound lowlands, although the higher foothills may get a dusting tonight or Saturday morning.And if you're starting to get the winter glumness, complaining about...
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Rain, followed by rain, and some deep mountain snow
At least three or four more days of rainstorms are headed to the northwest. They'll cycle through approximately every 18 hours, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.In practical terms, that means showers should taper off around noon today, and then resume this evening, and there will be breaks again throughout the weekend. The rains are particularly heavy along the coast and as you head into southern Oregon, as Mass...
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Sogginess subsides: A little more rain, then drier days...
Those late November storms are a tradition in the northwest. But after some Friday rain, the trend is drying out, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Washington.In this week's weather talk, Mass explains why late November gets more inches of rain than any other period of the year. Hint: It has to do with the jet-stream, heading at us from Asia. After November, that "atmospheric hose" is pointed farther south in Oregon and northernmost...
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A little rain this weekend, but Monday gets drenched
We're entering the wettest two-week period of the year, says Cliff Mass, KPLU weather expert and professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. And this year should not disappoint.The rain we've been hearing about this weekend will really just be light showers, says Mass, unless you're on the coast or in northwest Washington, where you'll get blasted with high winds.On Monday, though, he's forecasting several inches of rain as an "atmospheric river" sweeps across the...
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Chilly temps continue, may fall into 20s in the hollows
That's right, KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass says those who live in "these low spots, places where the wind doesn't get into, these hollows" could see temperatures in the 20s early Saturday morning.For most of western Washington, it'll drop into the mid 30s tonight, says Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington."We have a slug of cold air that's pushed all the way down into California," he says.It'll begin warming up on Sunday, as a front brings in showers by...
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Mild but damp weekend coming
The heavy rain we saw earlier this week was part of an "atmospheric river" carrying moisture across the Pacific, but it's gone now, and off-and-on showers will be the norm for the next few days, says Cliff Mass, KPLU's weather expert and a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.Northwest dampness comes as the rest of the country is drying out, and Mass says that's good news for President Obama. He cites research that shows Republicans do better when it's rainy on...
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A break from drizzle coming Sunday, as the East preps...
Lots of rain in the forecast, but a surprising break is coming on Sunday - at least if you're north of the Tacoma area."A weak warm front is moving in ... and [Saturday] another warm front, a little stronger comes in, probably after breakfast time," says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.Then, there will be a break on Sunday, before yet another warm front hits, says Mass."I think it'll actually be a pretty decent day, with...
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Drip, drop of rain continues, and early snow coming to...
The pattern has shifted, and rain is here to stay, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.By this evening, we'll be in an "occasional showers" mode, which means you might find dry spells this weekend to rake leaves and be outside.Want to avoid getting caught in a shower? Mass suggests using the local weather radar, to check the latest status.The biggest change is coming to the mountains. Mass predicts snow at high elevations...
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The rain is here, but nothing like Columbus Day 1962
Expect light, misty rain for much of today, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. And a much stronger front is approaching on Saturday night -- bringing heavy showers on Sunday.And, coincidentally, our long dry streak is coming to an end on the 50th anniversary of one of the biggest storms to ever hit the United States -- and certainly the biggest in Washington history. As Mass writes on his blog on the Columbus Day Storm:It...
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Ditto? Seven more days of the same sunny skies forecasted
Don't credit global warming. And don't call it karma. Sometimes, weather patterns just lock in place, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.Today, the pattern is perfection. Sunny, clear skies, with temperatures in the upper 60s, occasionally breaking 70, says Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. And seven days in a row of that, stretching through next Thursday. It could change at the end of next week, but maybe not, he says.For all the details of pink...
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Summer is gone and that means some surprises (and rain)
Yes, this morning's brief showers showed that in fact our fabulous summer is at an end (but there will be more sunny days to come), says KPLU's weather expert Cliff Mass.Mass added that forecasters were blindsided by this morning's rain across the region, but they are back on track with predictions of a front moving in this afternoon. That front too will bring some rain, but the clouds will burn off probably by Saturday evening and Sunday will be sunny.
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How Cliff Mass helps crime scene investigations
He seems like your ordinary scientist, but KPLU weather expert and University of Washington professor of Atmospheric Sciences Cliff Mass has been moonlighting. He can be found in courtrooms, as a favorite expert when the weather may determine guilt or innocence.For the complete story, click the "listen" button above.
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Why the water at Washington's beaches is so cold
Nevermind the predictable weather for this weekend (cloudy mornings, sunshine breaking through, temps in the 70's) -- KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass wants to talk about a strange phenomenon along the Washington coast.The water temperatures on any of our coastal beaches -- along the Olympic coast, at Ocean Shores, Westport or Long Beach -- is typically in the 40s or low 50s, says Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Washington.That's cold.But, if you could take a boat...
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Will we break the 'dry' record? Cliff Mass says, Unlikely
The record for consecutive days without rain at Seatac is 51 days, set in 1951. To break that record, we'd need to see no rain through Tuesday."I think we are probably going to get to 49, but I don't think we'll get to 50 or 51," says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. "It's tragic. But we're going to be happy with the second longest streak of dry weather in Seattle history."Even though the forecast says there's a 50% chance...
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Sunshine, and a record streak of dry days
Western Washington is wrapping up its driest August ever, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.And, with no precipitation in sight for the next two weeks, Mass says we may even break an all-time streak for the most consecutive days without rain. The record is 51 days, set in 1951."We are thirty-eight days in, right now," he says. "So, we certainly have a shot at the big record."In fact, it's likely temperatures will start...
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Gorgeous Saturday, but clouds and rain on the horizon
Enjoy a beautiful weekend, says KPLU weather expert and UW professor Cliff Mass.But we've entered a late-summer pattern that should start bringing occasional showers, starting early next week. That brings an end to an annual dry period that makes the northwest drier than the deserts of Arizona, says Mass. It's been four weeks without measurable rain in western Washington."We’re still in August and August is a very pleasant month," says Mass. "But we’re going to see more and more frequently...
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Forecast - hot but getting cooler
Today’s going to be hot again, but it's already cooler than expected this morning, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.“We had some marine air that pushed up the coast, clouds have inundated the coastal areas. So if you're on the coast it's going to be cooler," he says. "And here in the interior we're starting cooler: five to ten degrees in some places. But the trouble is this cool marine air is very thin."He says that cool marine layer will burn off fast, yielding to hot temps aloft. So...
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Forecast - best is still to come (though it's great...
Todays going to be a great summer day, especially as some low clouds burn off later but thats not the best part of the forecast, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.Today is the worst day of the weekend, believe it or not. And temperatures are going to get up into the mid- to upper-70s even near 80 in a couple places. So, its just an absolute wonderful day. But its going to get even better, he says.The skies will stay clear and temperatures will warm as we get into the weekend, with many...
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Hottest day of the year (so far) likely tomorrow
Sometimes, like this weekend ... a miracle happens, reports our weather expert and University of Washington professor Cliff Mass.That miracle may bring the hottest day of the year this weekend.Mass explains in his blog:A lobe of high pressure extends inland of us, forcing offshore flow. This offshore (easterly) flow starts over the heated interior of the continent and then gets even warmer when it sinks down the western slopes of the Cascades. The result is that a tongue of warm air extends...
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Cloudy mornings, cool days will prevail into next week
Dont let yesterdays warmer temps fake you out, says KPLUs weather expert Cliff Mass. Fact is, were stuck in a pattern of cloudy mornings and cool days deep into next week with possibly some rain arriving on Thursday.The cause? "We have this persistent troughing along the West Coast, and associated with that is ridging over the middle of the country, " Mass said. "So, theyre getting this enhanced drought, and were getting the enhanced low clouds. Were colder than normal, theyre warmer than...
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Why the NW is experiencing a summer of thunderstorms,...
"This is the summer of thunderstorms," says Cliff Mass, KPLU weather expert and meteorologist at the University of Washington.An unusual pattern of low pressure keeps recurring over the western U.S., bringing the rain and lightning. Temperatures are about ten degrees below normal for this part of July--which is typically the sunniest part of the year in the Puget Sound area.East of the mountains, there have been two flash floods, as of this morning. Forced by an upper level trough, heavy...
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Summer thunderstorms will continue, says Cliff Mass
If you were in the mountains or northern Puget Sound last night, you may have seen some spectacular lightning bolts and thunderstorms. Those are rare in the northwest, compared with the midwest. But KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass says the right conditions are here now, and will be with us through Saturday.Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Washington, explains why, in this weeks interview.And if you prefer to just watch the action, weather enthusiast Greg Johnson...
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Asian fires clouding Seattle's sunny skies
The smoky skies over Seattle are likely from Asia and not Western fires, says Cliff Mass, KPLU weather forecaster and University of Washington professor.In his blog post on the smoke, he said the air over us can be traced back to Asia at low levels."This smoke is above the surface in the middle troposphere and is coming from the southwest. Examining the flow aloft it really appears unlikely to be coming from any of the western U.S. fires. ... In fact, some other modeling systems, such as one...
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The sun is here, introduce yourself (it's been awhile)
The forecast is for plenty of sun for today and days to come.As KPLU forecaster and University of Washington professor Cliff Mass put it in his blog: It happens almost every year, and we sometimes lose faith that it will occur."Often, as in this year, it happens right after July 4th, and almost certainly by mid-July, resulting in the oft-noted statement by the meteorological cognoscenti that summer starts on July 12th in western Washington."Why does it take until early July to feel like...
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It's gonna rain. Sorry, it's true.
And theres not much we can do about it, says Cliff Mass, KPLU weather expert and professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the UW.Mass says look at the radar and make some plans.Theres a reason ... Its been a cold June.
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Rain for sure, says Cliff Mass, but summer rain is...
You can watch out not only for rain showers, but perhaps even some thunder showers on Friday, says Cliff Mass, the KPLU weather expert and professor of Atmospheric Sciences at UW.If youre planning ahead, he says in this weeks podcast, Friday afternoon will get the worst of it, with Saturday slightly less, and Sunday tapering off more and warming up a few degrees.And, if youre wondering, When will the water at our beaches be warm enough to get in?... Mass has some bad news. The early part of...
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Sunshine! Then some rain, and then ... more changes
Just one day of glory is all we get, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass. The clouds roll in tonight, at least around most of western Washington, followed by periods of rain tomorrow.The sun will still be shining over Portland on Saturday, and east of the Cascades, says Mass, a UW professor of Atmospheric Sciences.The changes are all typical of June, he says, and by the middle of next week, well likely flip back to a few days of sunshine.This weeks interview also covers how to "read" the...
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Why is June the month of clouds?
When Cliff Mass talks about "June Gloom," its about the clouds more than rain. June doesnt get all that much measurable precipitation, but the clouds lock in place, and sunshine can be rare.
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Memorial Day weekend will begin with sun, end with clouds
The forecast for today and tomorrow calls for sun and low to mid-70s temperatures, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass. But, the sun and clear skies will give way on Sunday and Monday to clouds and temperatures at least 10 degrees lower.Basically, were still transitioning into the June gloom.
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Has "June Gloom" arrived early? Not before garden soils...
You can blame a ridge of pressure over the Pacific for pushing a layer of cool, cloudy marine air over western Washington, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.
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It's true: Sunshine will bring back the 80's (temps)
The rumors of imminent warmth are confirmed, by KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass."The whole weekend is going to be extraordinary," says Mass, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Washington.
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NW spring weather has made us crabby for ... well ... a...
Today, KPLUs weather expert Cliff Mass and science reporter Keith Seinfeld touch on the forecast cloudy through most of Saturday, then getting better through Monday and then take up a common thread throughout NW weather history: grousing.Heres a weather report from 1855 published in the Puget Sound Courier:"Well, March went out, April came in, and with it, cold, wet, disagreeable weather, and a universal spirit of discontent, and a disposition to growl""Throughout the entire month, and even...
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Could this weekend's weather be a sign of global...
Yet another weekend that beats the work-week, when it comes to sunshine--thats the forecast from KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, of the University of Washington.But, it wont exactly be warm and sunny.
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