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The National Weather Service. Spokane , Washington. El Ni ñ o & La Ni ña SSTs. El Ni ñ o is warmer-than-normal SST La Ni ñ a is colder-than-normal SST. Patterns. El Ni ñ o Strong Pacific Jet Stream from West. La Ni ñ a Jet Stream from Northwest. Dec-Jan-Feb Temperature Probability.
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The National Weather Service Spokane, Washington
El Niño & La Niña SSTs • El Niño is warmer-than-normal SST • La Niña is colder-than-normal SST
Patterns • El Niño • Strong Pacific Jet Stream from West. • La Niña • Jet Stream from Northwest.
Seasonal Precipitation and La Niña Seasonal Precipitation Expected to be AboveNormal Normal Snowfall at Ephrata is 18.7” Look for Snowfall Amounts of 19” to 24” La Niña Forecast to Continue through Spring Below Normal Sea Surface Temps Forecast to slowly rise into June Below Normal Temps and Above Normal Precip to Continue
Percent of Normal Precip Since 10/1/09 Grant County ranges from 70 to 130 percent of normal
Who Is The National Weather Service? • A FEDERAL AGENCY UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) • OPERATES 122 FIELD OFFICES, PLUS NINE NATIONAL CENTERS WITH ABOUT 5,000 EMPLOYEES • ANNUAL BUDGET APPROXIMATELY $900 MILLION, OR APPROX $4.00 PER U.S. CITIZEN • THE ONLY ENTITY TO ISSUE OFFICIAL SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS
Spokane NWS Office • 25 Employees • Meteorologists – Forecasters • Technicians • Others • Staffed 24/7 • Duties • Observations • Forecasts • Warnings
Types of Forecasts • Public • Digital Graphics • Hydrology • Aviation • Fire Weather
Weather on the Web Point-n-Click NWS Forecasts Weather to Plan By
Weather on the Web IDZ027-230700- LEWIS AND SOUTHERN NEZ PERCE COUNTIES- 246 PM PST FRI JAN 22 2010 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 PM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET... * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. * ELEVATION: MAINLY ABOVE 2000 FEET...WITH MINOR ACCUMULATIONS BELOW 2000 FEET. * TIMING: LIGHT SNOW WILL BEGIN THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY. SNOW WILL TAPER OFF SATURDAY NIGHT. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CRAIGMONT...NEZPERCE...WINCHESTER... SOLDIERS MEADOW ROAD * WINDS: NORTHWEST AROUND 5 TO 15 MPH. * IMPACTS: RECENT WARM TEMPERATURES WILL LIKELY ALLOW THE INITIAL SNOWFALL TO MELT ON AREA ROADWAYS...HOWEVER COLDER TEMPERATURES BY SATURDAY MORNING WILL LIKELY RESULT IN DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. MOTORISTS SHOULD PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY TRAVEL DURING THIS POTENTIAL WINTER STORM. Outlooks, Watches, Warnings and Advisories Text Products
Weather on the Web NWS Forecasts Graphical
Other Services • LEPC and Other Emergency Related Meetings/Events • Dam Break Exercises • Table Top Exercises • EAS Committee • Hazards assessment • Spotter Training • Always need more Spotters • Open House • Every other year (next will be Oct 2011) • West Plains Location
Other Services • StormReady • Weather Preparedness • Spokane County is and so is Douglas! • School and Civic Organization Talks • Promote the Mission of the NWS • Foster science and math • Tailor to the audience • As time and resources permit
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