An Intense Cyclone Over the Northeast Pacific Promises Some Bluster

An intense extratropical cyclone had developed over the Northeast Pacific and is now nearly stationary off the west shore of Haida Gwaii. The cyclone exhibits a dramatical-looking doubly-wound spiral, or occluded front, near the centre. The tightly wound nature of the low is an indication of a mature system. Occlusions can become quite long as they are stretched around a cyclonic centre in this manner. Water Vapour satellite mage taken at 0700 PDT 02 Apr 2012 and is courtesy of the US National Weather Service.

We had a beautiful, mostly sunny afternoon yesterday. A few showers popped up in the vicinity but nothing moved right over my neighbourhood. Under all that sunshine, the temp climbed to a relatively warm 10.9ºC (51.6ºF) at Vancouver International.

Now, a very intense low has developed in the Northeast Pacific. As of the 1200 UTC Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) surface analysis, the low center had reached 53ºN 138ºW, nearly due west of Haida Gwaii. An intense pressure gradient surrounded the core, with a central pressure of 95.6 kPa (28.23" Hg). A strong pressure gradient is also associated with the leading warm and cold frontal systems, both of which are nearing the coast of Vancouver Island. An intensifying southeast pressure slope is already over Southwest British Columbia. The frontal boundaries are moving rather slowly, and the low center even more so. In fact, the doubly-wound spiral at the storm's core is nearly stationary. The low is also vertically stacked, or mature, and has almost certainly passed peak intensity.

The deep low is the kind of extratropical cyclone that generates our big windstorms, when they track closer to the coast than the current system. Given the more distant track, the winds are not expected to reach historical proportions. Environment Canada is forecasting southeast winds climbing toward 50 to 70 km/h (27 to 38 knots) by tonight in Vancouver Metro. The US National Weather Service has a wind advisory out in the Northwest Interior, with wind gusts up to 80 km/h (43 kt) expected at places like Bellingham.

With the incoming fronts, Solander Island is reporting extreme wind speeds, but this is rather typical for the station. At 0700, winds were ESE 113 km/h (61 kt) mph gusting 143 (77). The pressure had dropped to 99.77 kPa (29.46" Hg). The Estevan Point lighthouse reported winds E 48 km/h (26 kt) gusting 80 (43) at 07:00, with a pressure of 101.16 kPa (29.87" Hg). Note the steep pressure differential between the two stations: 13.9 hPa. This reflects the strong pressure gradients around the massive low, reaching far out from the centre.

Here in Vancouver, we have low, gray skies, a gentle breeze and a somewhat mild on-patio temperature of 8.6ºC (47.5ºF) indicative of 7ºC (44.6ºF) out in the park across the street. The relative humidity is 72%, with a pressure of 30.15"—rather high and not particularly threatening. The Davis reads 102.21 kPa, actually up 0.1 hPa in the hour ending 07:45. This despite and incoming front. The sky promises rain, and the barometer sunshine. Not atypical for the area.

At the airport:

Vancouver International Observation 0700 PDT
WX/Sky	BKN028 OVC090	Vis	15.00
Wind	ESE 28 (15)	T/Td	7.7/2.2
SLP	102.19	Tdcy	-0.1
Vis mi, T/Td ºC, And km/h (kt), SLP kPa, Tdcy hPa/hr.

Even though winds in my neighborhood are somewhat light—with the mild shaking of the tree limbs, I estimate 10-15 km/h (6-8 kt) in gusts at times—wind speeds at the airport have been stronger. At 0500, SE winds reached 28 km/h (15 kt) gusting 37 (20). The temperature has been mild all night, with a low around 7.2ºC (45ºF). The thermometer at Estevan Point, by the way, indicated 8.3ºC (47ºF) at 0700, and at Solander 6.7ºC (44ºF). Both locations also showed little temperature change overnight.

Even further south, at Quillayute, the temp at 0753 is 8.3ºC (47ºF) and somewhat warmer than earlier this morning. Winds, however, are SSE and had reached 28 km/h (15 kt) gusting 48 (26) by the 0753 observation. This appears to be a response associated with warm frontal passage, which appears to have occurred around 0412 at this station based on a wind shift from SE to SSE and an acceleration of speed, accompanied by a slight warming of the temp. The cyclone's warm sector is not particularly toasty, with a temp of 8.9ºC (48ºF) being indicated by Buoy 46206 at 0700, and 46005 reporting 10ºC (50ºF) at 0150 before the cold front brought the temp down to 6.7ºC (44ºF) by 0550.

Given the relatively mild temp at Estevan Point, it appears that the warm front is at, or very near, this location. Cooler Solander is perhaps north of the triple-point.

SE to SSE winds have been fairly strong at the two above-mentioned buoys, but not at a major windstorm level. Buoy 46206 reported winds SE 55 km/h (29.5 kt) gusting 72 (39) at 0600, the highest so far, and 46005 reported 61 km/h (33 kt) gusting 76 (41) at 0150, in association with the cold front. Direction is not being reported. The sea surface temperature, by the way, is 7.7ºC (46ºF), and had likely contributed to cooling the warm sector, reducing its intensity.

Update 1507 PDT:

The beautifully wound up cyclone continues to very slowly move northward along 139ºW, and is now near 54ºN. The leading cold front has slowly progressed eastward over Vancouver Island, with the boundary now past Solander Island, and a decent stream of moisture passing over the central portion of the island. Moderate to heavy rain has been soaking Estevan Point for a number of hours now:

Time (PDT)	Rain Total (mm/hr)	Rain Total (in/hr)
1000	3.0	0.12
1100	6.6	0.26
1200	7.4	0.29
1300	5.3	0.21
1400	4.3	0.17

Wind speeds at Estevan Point have also increased markedly, with a report at 1400 of ESE 69 km/h (37 kt) gusting 93 (50), high-wind criteria speeds.

The near hurricane-force winds at Solander Island slowed dramatically after noon, when the frontal boundary arrived. Winds SSE 104 km/h (56 kt) gusting 120 (65) at 1200 became SSE 56 km/h (30 kt) by 1300, then shifted to due S at 56 km/h (30 kt) gusting 70 (38) by the end of the next hour. The pressure jumped from 99.71 kPa (29.44" Hg) at 1100 to 100.04 kPa (29.54" Hg) at noon, an hourly change of 3.3 hPa. The temp fell from 7.8ºC (46ºF) at 1100 to 6.1ºC (43ºF) by 1300.

Here in Vancouver, we have not seen any rain yet, and indeed had some sunbreaks earlier this afternoon. The temp has warmed dramatically to 13ºC (55.4ºF) as of the most recent observation at 1400. Winds, however, have slacked off from a maximum of ESE 41 km/h (22 kt) gusting 52 (28) at 1100. The latest report indicated ESE 24 km/h (13 kt). However, the pressure in the same observation indicated a 1.1 hPa fall in the past hour, down to 101.85 kPa (30.08" Hg). The barometric trend reflects the slowly approaching cold front.

Bellingham has reported a maximum gust, so far, of 54 km/h (29 kt) out of 130º at 1255, plus on two other occasions before this observation.

Some maximum gusts on the Washington coast (so far):

Location	Direction (º)	Gust (km/h & knots)	Time (PDT)
Tatoosh I	170	80 (43)	1323
Quillayute	150	67 (36)	1248
Destruction I	140	91 (49)	1015
Hoquiam	60	37 (20)	1034

Not much happening at Hoquiam, but places north are reporting gale-force gusts. 

Update 1945 PDT:

The Pacific front is crawling eastward and now has passed Estevan Point, based on recent METAR information. SE winds 65 km/h (35 kt) gusting 76 (41) at 1700 dropped to SE 24 km/h (13 kt) during the following hour, with the temperature falling from 8.3ºC (47ºF) to 7.2ºC (45ºF), changes that likely mark the passage of the front. Moderate rain also tapered off to light by 1900.

Tofino is now under the baroclinic hose, with steady moderate rain, along with mist, since noon. Winds have been strong, too, with speeds climbing to SSE 56 km/h (30 kt) gusting 70 (38) at 0900, and a SE gust to 80 km/h (43 kt) at 1100.

East winds finally shifted to south and southeast by 1453 at Hoquiam. Though speeds are not particularly strong, with a maximum gust of 25 mph out of 170º at 1653. The temp, however, climbed to a rather warm 13.9ºC (57.0ºF) at 1553. Partly sunny skies likely enhanced this warm sector temperature.

New gust maxima for the Washington coast:

Location	Dir (º)	Gust (km/h)	Gust (knots)	Time (PDT)
Tatoosh I	170º	100	54	1707
Quillayute	160º	74	40	1542
Destruction I	170º	89	48	1407

 Wind speeds appear to be tapering off in recent observations from all three of these locations, so the above values may be the peaks for this storm. The front may be weakening, along with the low. As of 1700 (0000 UTC), the HPC analyzed the cyclone's central pressure at 96.4 kPa (28.47" Hg), up nearly 1 kPa from the minimum.

Light rain recently reached Quillayute at 1853. Partly cloudy to sometimes clear skies visited the area for much of the day, with the front just offshore, carrying significant moisture into Vancouver Island.

Here in Vancouver, low, gray overcast skies dominate, with a light breeze rustling the trees. The temperature on the patio is 12.5ºC (54.5ºF), with the shade temperature away from the building likely around 11ºC (52ºF). At the airport:

Vancouver International Observation 1900 PDT
WX/Sky	BKN078 OVC085	Vis	15.00
Wind	E 20 (11) G 30 (16)	T/Td	11.1/2.8
SLP	101.28	Tdcy	-1.2
Vis mi, T/Td ºC, And km/h (kt), SLP kPa, Tdcy hPa/hr.

Winds have been easterly since 1600, and appear to be on a slow wane, with some oscillations upward, like 28 km/h (15 kt) at 1800. The temperature is also slowly dropping from 12.8ºC (55ºF) at 16:00. Looking at the satellite loop and the progress of the front, I suspect rain may reach here within a few more hours.

Low Departed With Showers to Follow

Infrared satellite photo taken at 0800 PDT 01 Apr 2012. The remnants of yesterday's extratropical cyclone have moved well inland. A patch of cold clouds just moving ashore in Oregon is associated with a weak shortwave trough that promises to bring showers to Cascadia through the day. The next strong system can be seen developing west of the 140ºW line. Image courtesy of the US National Weather Service.

The wraparound band swept past the Lower Mainland in the early morning hours on this first day of April. The METAR from Vancouver International indicate that winds SW 7 km/h (4 kt) at midnight shifted to WSW 11 km/h (6 kt) by 0021, then WNW 28 km/h (15 kt) by 0100. Rain intensified at the time, and the temperature began a gradual drop from 41ºF to eventually reach 36ºF by 0432. Maximum winds occurred around 0400, with WNW 39 km/h (21 kt). A gust of 54 km/h (29 kt) followed, at 0432. Heavy rain arrived by 0445, a rare intensity for the airport. With the 0500 report, the rain had tapered off to moderate, then light in the next hour.

In terms of peak wind speeds in the surrounding area, wind-prone Race Rocks reported WSW 67 km/h (36 kt) gusting 80 km/h (43 kt) at 0600, Victoria Gonzales Heights reported WSW 39 km/h (21 kt) gusting 54 km/h (29 kt) and Sheringham reported W 52 km/h (28 kt) at 0400. Sand Heads reported NW 41 km/h (22 kt) at 0400, Victoria a mere WNW 24 km/h (13 kt) at 0300, and Bellingham--typically with weak response during westerly wind events--nevertheless reported a peak gust of 44 km/h (24 kt) from a 270º direction. Abbotsford, inland and somewhat sheltered from many westerly surges, only reported a peak wind speeds of WSW 20 km/h (11 kt) at 0533. At Abby, light rain at 0635 became light rain/snow mix by 0655, with the temperature down to 1ºC (34ºF) and dew point 0ºC (32ºF) during the 0700 regular observation. Lowland snow in April is always an interesting treat, but in terms of wind speed, this storm did not have a strong showing over much of the region, save for a focused area on the coast south of North Bend, Oregon.

Yesterday's cyclone fell apart as it moved inland and effectively became absorbed early this morning. New lows have since developed along the leading frontal system over the Intermountain Empire. A weak shortwave trough is expected to bring renewed showers to Vancouver, BC, by this afternoon, and earlier in locations south.

Update 1931 PDT:

As the bent-back front swept through the Puget Lowlands, wind speeds climbed fairly high in places, with METAR data showing gale-force gusts at a few stations.

Winds at Sea-Tac reached SW 48 km/h (26 kt) gusting 67 (36) at 0553 this morning. The heavy gusts arrived during a time of rapid pressure rise, with rates reaching 2.3 hPa/hr by 0653. Everett reported peak winds of S 44 km/h (24 kt) gusting 65 (35) at 0353, followed by a 2.8 hPa/hr pressure rise in the hour ending 0453. A gust of 67 km/h (36 kt) occurred out of 190º at 0406. Bremerton reported winds of SSW 41 km/h (22 kt) gusting 56 (30) during the 0535 observation, with a gust to 59 km/h  (32 kt) at 0515. Tacoma McChord reported maximum winds of 33 km/h (18 kt) gusting 46 (25) at 0253, with a maximum gust of 48 km/h (26 kt) out of 200º at 0301. Olympia had winds escalate to SSW 24 km/h (13 kt) gusting 44 (24) at 0254.

Both Tacoma and Olympia escaped the heavier gusts that occurred just to the north. However, the South Sound had rates of pressure rise similar in magnitude to the reports from the Seattle-Everett area, with a 2.1 hPa climb at Olympia in the hour ending 0354. The isallobaric effect could not have been the only player in the reported wind speeds. Pressure gradients likely were a key contributor, but I have not checked the values for this storm.

Another Southern Extratropical Cyclone

A 98.0 kPa low had reached the 130ºW line at 43ºN as of 1400 PDT today, 31 Mar 2012. This maturing extratropical cyclone is expected to move NE and weaken before making landfall this evening. Image courtesy of the US National Weather Service.

On this final day of a very busy March for weather, a strong 98.0 kPa low has developed off the Southwest Oregon coast and is now near 43ºN 131ºW, at least as of 1200 UTC. Looking at the upper-air information available from the US NWS, the system is nearly vertically stacked up to 50 kPa, but is not cut off from a decent 130 knot (240 km/h) jet stream. Therefore, it appears that this system is maturing, but had not reached a fully vertical state as of 0500 PDT this morning.

Both the MM5-NAM and the WRF-GFS model runs, courtesy of the University of Washington, for 00:00 UTC 31 Mar 2012 show the low weakening and elongating on a north-south axis as its moves ashore in the evening, with the remains of the center moving into Northwest Oregon or Southwest Washington. A system being stretched in this manner—akin to de-focusing the storm's energy—significantly lessens the chance of a major windstorm for this extratropical cyclone. However, the low is on an interesting track, and bears watching. There is the possibility of a decent westerly surge behind the low in places prone to west to northwest winds, like the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver, BC. However, currently, the WRF-GFS is only indicating maximum winds of 20-25 knots (37-46 km/h) in the Georgia Strait in the vicinity of Vancouver and 25-35 knots (46-65 km/h) in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca near Victoria. These are not particularly high values compared to many westerly surges.

Looking at the METAR, the leading warm front appears to have reached Astoria. The station reported a wind shift from ESE 15 km/h (8 kt) at 0638 to S 19 km/h (10 kt) gusting 33 (18) by 0655, accompanied by moderate rain. A pressure minimum of 99.17 kPa (29.28" Hg), quite low for so late in the season, occurred at 0555 just ahead of the warm front. The temp rose from 5.0ºC (41ºF) at 0355 to 7.8ºC (46ºF) by 07:21. Winds as of the most recent report, 0755, were S 20 km/h (11 kt) gusting 35 (22). Not particularly strong.

The surface warm front had reached Newport by 0455, with a high temp of 10.0ºC (50ºF). E winds 19 km/h (10 kt) at 0415 shifted to SE 26 km/h (14 kt) gusting 37 (20) by 0435, then S 50 km/h (27 kt) gusting 61 (33) by 0455, the highest speeds associated with the warm front. As with Astoria, moderate rain accompanied the arrival of the warm boundary. The cold front, right on the heels of the narrow warm sector, reached Newport by 0535, with winds shifting to SSW. By 0635, peak post-cold-front speeds were reached with SW 39 km/h (21 kt) gusting 54 (29 kt). The temp had fallen to 7.2ºC (45ºF) by this time. As of 0755, the temp stood at 6.1ºC (43ºF), with winds S 20 km/h (11 kt) gusting 30 (16 kt). The pressure, having gone through a minimum of 29.31" (altimeter) at 0435, climbed to 29.43" by 07:15 as the two frontal systems went through, and now appears to be falling again as the low center nears.

The cold front has yet to reach Astoria at this time. Or—perhaps quite likely—the triple point passed south of Astoria. Even Tillamook reported a maximum of 10.0ºC (50ºF) at 0555 with the leading warm front. This warmth has since tapered off. But the temperature has so far failed to get as high in Astoria. This suggests that Astoria experienced an occluded front, while places immediately south received the warm-front cold-front combo.

Update at 1211 PDT:

NDBC Buoy 46002, some 500 km (275 nautical miles) west of Coos Bay, OR, reported a low pressure of 97.74 kPa (28.86" Hg) at 0650 PDT. The pressure then underwent a slow rise over the next two observations. Then, between 0850 and 0950, the pressure jumped 3.9 hPa to 98.46 kPa (29.08" Hg). In the next hour, the pressure climbed even faster, increasing by 4.4 hPa. The anemometers at this station failed some time ago, and there is no wind data. However, seas have climbed to 7.2 m (24 ft), indicating strong winds. The cyclone's bent-back front appears to have passed Buoy 46002, and has probably triggered some significant W to NW winds in the area. The bent-back feature is typically associated with the upper-trough behind the surface low. With the cyclone becoming stacked, bringing the upper trough right over the low center, I expect the bent-back front to weaken before landfall.

In Northern California, wind gusts became fairly strong in the vicinity of the cold front. METAR reports from Arcata indicate a peak gust of 76 km/h (41 kt) out of 170º at 0152. Then temp fell from 15ºC (59ºF) at 0153 to 8.9ºC (48ºF) by 0425 as the cold front moved through. At Crescent City, wind gusts reached 80 km/h (43 kt) out of 200º at 0409. Currently, southeast winds are again on the increase at this location, this time due to the approaching low pressure center. A wind gust of 78 km/h (42 kt) occurred out of 140º at 1149.

Update at 18:08 PDT:

Wow, Crescent City took a beating from the southern extratropical cyclone. A gust of 106 km/h (57 kt) occurred out of 170º at 1520. Two-minute average winds climbed to 76 km/h (41 kt) out of 170º at 1544. These are significant wind speeds, reflecting a sharp pressure gradient that has set up in the base of the low. To the north of the centre, the pressure gradient has been far weaker. The low is very elongated on a north-south axis, as expected. North Bend, OR, for example reported maximum gust of 52 km/h (28 kt) at 1255, out of the SE, in the more gentle pressure slope.

The main low-pressure-centre spiral appears to be heading right for the Coos Bay area. But it is losing definition in the satellite loops and is clearly weakening. In fact, the pressure has been rising at North Bend: 29.47" (altimeter) at 1755, up from 29.41" at 1435, indicative of a fading storm. The barometric pressure is also showing signs of rising up north in Astoria.

Update 23:08 PDT:

Looking at the METAR, the bent-back trough has clearly reached the Pacific coast during the past hour. North Bend, OR, for example, reported winds SSE 9 km/h (5 kt) at 1955, shifting sharply to W 26 km/h (14 kt) by 2015,  the first indication that the low centre had moved inland. Winds shifted to the NW and accelerated to 46 km/h (25 kt) gusting 57 (31) by 2115, with gusts to 65 km/h (35 kt) at 2135 and 2155. At the same time, the pressure began rising dramatically. The altimeter jumped from 29.61" at 2055 to 29.74" by 2155, a full 4.4 hPa in one hour. The NW winds and rapidly rising pressure are classic signatures of the bent-back front.

Crescent City also reported a decent wind strike out of the NW octant. By 2154, WNW winds had climbed to 52 km/h (28 kt) gusting 65 (35). The maximum gust associated with the bent-back feature--so far--touched 70 km/h (38 kt) out of 300º at 2135. The pressure in one hour jumped 3.2 hPa to 101.08 kPa (29.85" Hg) by 2156. Arcata reported a gust to 72 km/h (39 kt) out of 310º at 2134. Newport reported winds NW 39 km/h (21 kt) gusting 54 (29) at 2135 and Astoria WNW 33 km/h (18 kt) gusting 57 (31) at 2155. Astoria also reported a squall at 2153, marking the sudden shift in wind from SW 15 km/h (8 kt) to NW 30 km/h (16 kt).

The timing of the maximum wind speeds up-and-down the coast pins the arrival of the bent-back front right around 2200 PDT--for just about everywhere along the shore. As expected, the wind speeds have not reached the magnitude of more intense storms in the past, like the Hanukkah Eve windstorm of 2006, or 07 Feb 2002. Soon the cyclonic tail will sweep across the Willamette Valley and other interior sections.

The north end of the wraparound band is just now reaching the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. We will probably get around round of cold, winter-like rain, with some west to west-northwest winds to follow. Currently, Sheringham, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is still reporting winds out of the ENE, so the shift to westerly has not occurred. The speed has slowed down from E 35 km/h (19 kt) at 1900 to 11 km/h (6 kt) by 2200. And the pressure has risen slightly, climbing a mere 0.2 hPa to 99.75 kPa (29.46" Hg) during the 2200 observation. So perhaps the expected westerly surge is about to arrive. Tatoosh Island is also still reporting E winds, at 35 km/h (19 kt) gusting 43 (23 kt). Interestingly, winds climbed to a powerful E 85 km/h (46 kt) gusting 94 (51) at 0900, as the low approached the coast far to the southwest, but at near-peak intensity.

At Vancouver International, close to my home, the 2200 report indicated a stratus overcast accompanied by light rain showers, a temp of 5.0ºC (41ºF), dew point 2.2ºC (36ºF), winds E 9 km/h (5 kt) and a pressure of 99.86 kPa (29.49" Hg), down 0.4 hPa in the past hour. Quiet, but rather chilly conditions.

Instant Low

In this water vapour satellite photo, taken at 1700 PDT on 29 Mar 2012, a strong "dry slot" is evident moving ashore over Western Washington and extreme Northwest Oregon. This is one key signature of a developing open wave. An extratropical cyclone had begun to form in the base of an old, mature Gulf of Alaska low, in an area with good jet-stream support and diffluence aloft. Image courtesy of the US National Weather Service.

Yesterday afternoon, an open wave initiated along the section of the a cold front draped over Oregon southwestward out over the Pacific, then moved inland over Western Washington. This wave had a very distinct dry slot and had the strong appearance of early cyclogenesis as it moved ashore. With a narrow high pressure ridge over northern California, the pressure gradient tightened considerably south of the open wave. In essence, Western Oregon sat under a strong pinch between high pressure and low pressure, a classic setup for strong wind in the Willamette Valley, and also on the Oregon coast. With a steep SSE pressure slope, strong winds indeed developed. Also, a modest warm sector visited Oregon. For example, the temperature stood at 12ºC (54ºF) in Salem as the strongest southerly winds arrived, compared to 9ºC (48ºF) at Olympia with light winds shifting from south to west then north as the wave moved inland right over the city, keeping the warmer air just to the south.

Peak Wind and Gust: km/h (knots) Sudden Open Wave 29 Mar 2012 (PDT)
Loc	Wind	Dir	Time	Gust	Dir	Time
Kelso	28 (15)	SSE	1715	44 (24)	SE	1355
Hillsboro	30 (16)	S	1600	48 (26)	SSW	1606
Portland	37 (20)	S	1728	59 (32)	S	1724
Troutdale	33 (18)	SSW	2053	54 (29)	S	1727
Aurora	37 (20)	SSW	1753	69 (37)	S	1611
McMinnville	41 (22)	S	1453	54 (29)	S	1532
Salem	48 (26)	S	1555	72 (39)	S	1649
Corvallis	33 (18)	SSE	1435	50 (27)	SSE	1435
Eugene	46 (25)	SSW	1254	76 (41)	S	1326
Roseburg	31 (17)	S	1153	56 (30)	S	1309
Astoria	24 (13)	SW	1535	35 (19)	SW	1555
Tillamook	52 (28)	S	1515	80 (43)	S	1515
Newport	69 (37)	S	1355	100(54)	S	1355
North Bend	54 (29)	S	1435	87 (47)	SSW	1615

The tight pressure gradient developed just south of Astoria, resulting in a moderate breeze at the typically windy location. Newport, right in the area of strongest pressure gradient, reported high-wind criteria gusts of 58-62 mph from 13:55 to 15:35. In the Willamette Valley, the fastest winds appear to have struck right up the middle—places like Eugene and Salem—with only a strong breeze at stations nearer to the east and west valley margins. For wind-sheltered Roseburg, wind gusts in excess of 50 km/h marks a decent showing. North of Kelso, in the more relaxed gradient near the center of the open wave, winds were rather light.

Moderate to heavy rain accompanied this open wave at a number of stations. For example, maximum hourly rates:

• Portland: 5.6 mm/hr (0.22"/hr) at 2053
• Olympia: 4.3 mm/hr (0.17"/hr) at 1654
• Astoria: 8.1 mm/hr (0.32"/hr) at 1455

Up where I live, Vancouver, BC, became caught under the developing wraparound band with steady light rain from 16:00 to 21:00 and light easterly winds. The pressure fell to 99.61 kPa (29.41" Hg) at 20:00 as the wave continued shifting inland.

Low pressure at Oregon locations included:

• Portland: 99.90 kPa (29.50" Hg) at 16:53
• Salem: 99.94 kPa (29.51" Hg) at 15:56
• Eugene: 100.22 kPa (29.59" Hg) at 14:54
• Astoria: 99.65 kPa (29.42") at 15:55

Note: The Salem station went "twitchy" and started periodically reporting unrealistic rainfall and pressure values, so the data are questionable. Though, the wind observations look reasonable.