We have just survived a storm that is one for the record books. Some interesting things happened with this storm. We basically had 3 storms hit us back to back to back and the last one was a doosy... The first was a bit of a cold front with some moisture that resulted in some snow. Not a lot, but just enough to cover the ground and get things cold. The second had a lot more moisture and started out as snow and turned to rain. A fair amount of moisture fell with this. Then the last one.... wow.... rain that would not stop and very warm. So, with the previous two storms, we were very vulnerable to any additional moisture. The record for daily rainfall in Seattle is just over 5 inches in 24 hours. This storm came in second with a little over 4 inches in 24 hours. What doesn't show in the record books is the previous 2 storms. If we were to measure a 36 hour period instead of 24, this one would definitely have been a record setter... There are areas just south of me that I am sure had over 12 inches of rain in that period. The interesting thing about our area is the effect of the Olympic Mountains. They create a rain shadow that is incredible. I have set up a few stations around the area and the storm totals are very interesting. Here are the storm totals from stations that I have set up or been involved with, listed from north to south.
Camano Island 1.20"
Mutiny Bay (10 miles south of Camano) 2.12"
Skunk Bay (6 miles south of Mutiny Bay) 4.73"
Shorewoods (1.8 miles south of Skunk Bay) 5.84"
Mill Creek 6.68"
Shoreline 5.78"
Poulsbo 6.80 (10 miles south of Shorewoods)
The severe damage really started in Poulsbo and went south from there. The catastophic damage was done in Centralia and Chehalis. We are basically facing a "mini-Katrina" in those areas. My heart is breaking for their losses. They are basically on the eastern side of the south end of the Olympics. The heavy ocean storms are forced around the mountains and dump in that area. They have really suffered. Our local TV station has some great footage and photos. Here is the link:
http://www.komotv.com/weather/photos It was a fascinating storm and I saw the fringes of it. As a weather nut, I am always in awe of the power of mother nature and in a very perverse way enjoy these events. However, people are suffering now and my heart breaks for them. We are contributing to our favorite charities in this area and wish we could do more. I am not above putting a plea out to a group like this to contribute, if you can, to a charity of your choice that is serving this area of need. It really is a paradox to enjoy a hobby that watches and monitors something that can ultimately result in so much suffering.... I know I feel better when I can contribute to those in need....
Just some thoughts,
Greg