PREPARE FOR NEGATIVE WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES (BELOW ZERO)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE

GUSTY WINDS SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
Gusty winds will accompany the storm system for most of the region. Winds will increase Tomorrow and persist through Tuesday Night. Areas with higher winds on the image will have strong winds Sunday and Monday but areas in the red circle will have there strongest winds late Monday and into Tuesday Night which is not shown on the image. Negative wind chills will be present for many areas.

for larger view - 

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=otx&img=3&size=1

NW BRACING FOR COLDEST TEMPERATURES IN 2 YEARS

Snow, rain & wind Sunday and Monday followed by Bitter Cold for the rest of the week
click for larger view - http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=otx&img=2&size=1

Inland Northwest Mountain Passes-check out this new map

new feature- all in one spot - Live Cameras and current road and weather conditions for mountain passes of Eastern Washington and North Idaho    

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/safety/MtnPassPage/MtnPassinfo.php

Tired of the Weather? Ready for a Change

INLAND NORTHWEST WEATHER BLOG

The Inland Northwest has had a stretch of rather strange weather, for late November that is: Dry and Sunny.  While some areas have been seeing more fog and low clouds the past few days, the overall weather for the region has been markedly different than what we typically see at this time of year.  November is one of our most active weather months, with precipitation typically falling on 2 of every 3 days.  Not so for the past 2 weeks.  But that's about to change.

full article - http://inlandnorthwestweather.blogspot.com/2013/11/tired-of-weather-ready-for-change.html

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE - STRONG STORM SYSTEM TO BRING HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA

354 PM SAT NOV 30 2013

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM
MONDAY ABOVE 3000 FEET...

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW IN THE VALLEYS AND IN
  THE MOUNTAINS 10 TO 18 INCHES.

* TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT AND
  CONTINUE AT TIMES THROUGH MONDAY. THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS
  EXPECTED TO OCCUR ON SUNDAY AND SUNDAY EVENING. SNOW SHOWERS
  WILL LIKELY DEVELOP ON MONDAY.

* LOCATIONS: EASTPORT...SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD.

* SNOW LEVEL: VALLEY FLOORS OVERNIGHT AND INTO SUNDAY
  MORNING...RISING TO 3000-3500 FT NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER
  THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. SNOW LEVELS FALLING TO THE VALLEY FLOORS
  AGAIN ON MONDAY.

* IMPACTS: MOUNTAIN ROADS WILL LIKELY BE SUBJECT TO PERIODS OF
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WHICH COULD POSE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS
  DRIVING CONDITIONS. VALLEY ROADS COULD ALSO SEE WINTER DRIVING
  CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY LATE TONIGHT INTO EARLY SUNDAY BEFORE
  CHANGING TO RAIN.

* WEB PAGE: FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA VISIT
  HTTP://WWW.WRH.NOAA.GOV/WRH/WHV/?WFO=OTX

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS
OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE
TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

SNOWFALL FORECAST FOR TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT

INLAND NW-

Snow will develop overnight and continue through Sunday night into early Monday. Most of the snow will occur between early Sunday morning and Sunday evening. Northern valley locations will see some snow early in the day but snow levels will rise above the valley floors by midday Sunday. Several mountain passes will be impacted by the snow.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=otx

Marijuana moratorium upsets some Clarkston business owners

CLARKSTON, WA - Leaders from cities and counties all across the State of Washington are working to implement the legalization of marijuana. 

KLEW News explains it's going to take a bit longer for the City of Clarkston. 


 read the full article:
http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/Some-Clarkston-business-owners-are-upset-that-it-will-be-months-before-legally-buying-pot-233637181.html

Comet ISON sweeps near sun, shows signs of life

 Still a chance we could see comet ISON from earth next week:(CNN) -- Hold the obituary. Experts now think Comet ISON -- or at least part of it -- survived its close encounter with the sun.

full article: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/us/ison-comet/

ISON INFOGRAPHICS - 3 Possible scenarios (thanks NASA)

WILL ISON SURVIVE?

Spectacular NASA infographics on 3 possible scenarios:  

1) ISON evaporates

2) ISON emerges in smaller chunks

3) ISON survives and emerges so bright it is visible from earth

Most sungrazing comets are torn apart by the sun's intense gravity and heat, but some survive in spectacular form...check out the animations:

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?Category=Planets&IM_ID=17505

EYES ON THE SOLAR SYSTEM - fly with comet ISON in 3D

FLY WITH COMET ISON IN 3D- like being in a video game

Another awesome visualization compliments of NASA - worth a look at this amazing sun-grazing comet.

http://eyes.jpl.nasa.gov/download.html?document=$SERVERURL/content/documents/comets/comets.xml

COMET ISON TOOLKIT-all the images, videos, mission information and more to make the most of today historic event.

TODAY scientists around the world are tracking ISON's progress today as it plunges through the sun's near atmosphere.  Stay tuned to see if it survives its perilous journey and emerges from the sun's intense gravity and heat.  this toolkit has all the images, videos, mission information and more to make the most of today's historic event.

Link to Nasa's site with videos, pictures, info:  http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/smallworlds/cometison.cfm

COMET ISON - Tracking the comet's Perilous Journey Around the Sun - Will it Break Up?

Thursday, Nov. 28, 1-3:30 p.m. EST
NASA solar physicists track the comet LIVE during #ISON’s closest approach to the sun and answer your questions on Google+ during the broadcast, or via Twitter using #ISON and #askNASA.

- Don't look for ISON during the day today. NASA spacecraft will watch it and we'll post images here (the link below), including near real time images from SDO starting at 12:45 p.m. EST.  As always, never look directly at the sun.

-- If it doesn't break up, ISON will be visible near the horizon in early December. Look to the East before sunrise and to the Northwest after sunset. Watch the "What's Up?" Videofor more details.https://plus.google.com/events/c8t7i5dbr1k50oq89giloiqe8rc

Is an Arctic Blast and Snow Coming to the Northwest?

Cliff Mass Weather Blog, November 26, 2013

The media is beginning to talk about it and the emails are coming in, so perhaps it is time to talk about the potential for cold air and snow later this weekend and early next week.

My general policy is to wait until such events are about 120 hour out, because their predictability is often very low beyond that.  And although some models have been indicating a cold event for a while, their forecasts have been inconsistent--suggesting large uncertainty.  So now that we are getting close enough to see "the whites of their eyes", what do the latest model predictions indicate.
full story:    http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2013/11/is-arctic-blast-and-snow-coming-to.html

FLIGHT STATS - across the country - Check Your Airports for Delays at a glance- then get details

You'll want to book mark this one:

The status information provided on this site indicates general airport conditions; it is not flight-specific. Check with your airlineto determine if your flight is affected.Information on wait times at security checkpoints.

http://www.flightstats.com/go/Airport/currentAirportDelays.do?region=usFAA

Holiday Weekend Travel

National Weather Service, Spokane, Wa
A few weak disturbances will bring a chance of light showers on Friday and Saturday. These showers are not expected to impact travel. A strong storm system will bring rain/snow, gusty winds, and colder temperatures on Sunday and Monday. Snow will likely impact the mountain passes. Snow will be possible in the valleys starting Sunday night but confidence remains low regarding amounts and location. Freezing temperatures arriving Sunday night could lead to Icy road conditions on Monday morning. Check http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/ for updates.
full story: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=otx

Asotin County open burning may continue despite dense air and fog

By Veronica Miracle Published: Nov 26, 2013 at 9:32 AM PST

CLARKSTON, WA - The foggy, dense air that's been clouding up the Valley is here to stay at least through the week. 
The Washington Department of Ecology put an immediate hold on burning across the eastern part of Washington including Asotin County on Monday. But Asotin County Fire Marshall Karst Riggers said the stage one burn ban is simply a recommendation...

full story:  .http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/Stagnation-air-233477821.html

Denver news anchor blasts lazy viewers for boring snow photos

By Scott Sistek Published: Nov 26, 2013 at 11:11 AM PST 
When the snow starts flying, our inbox, Twitter, and Facebook feeds fill up with countless gorgeous photos of our winter wonderland.

And then, there are some... not-so-gorgeous ones. It's OK, not everyone is Ansel Adams. We usually just choose the best to showcase and move on...

But in Denver, where it admittedly snows a little more often than Seattle, one news anchor took to the airwaves to say he's had it with the endless photos that just show snow piling up on viewers' patio furniture.

"Yes, everyone's impressed with your four-piece furniture set. We saw it at Costco too," KUSA anchor Kyle Clark said, tongue planted firmly in cheek (maybe?) 
full story:    http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/Denver-news-anchor-blasts-lazy-viewers-for-boring-snow-photo-233494761.html

BURN BAN CONTINUES FOR SEVERAL INLAND NW COUNTIES

Spokane, WA NWS
The highlighted counties above are under a burn ban. This ban restricts the use of outside burning and the use of unapproved indoor fireplaces and stoves. For more information for the burn bans, visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/Burn_Ban.htm or http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/burn-restrictions-and-bans.aspx.

An Air Stagnation Advisory extended through late Friday...(not shocked)

An Air Stagnation Advisory has been extended through late Friday morning. This is for all of Eastern Washington and North Idaho below 3500 feet. Cold air trapped at the surface will not allow mixing and particulates and pollution will slowly increase. Look for messages from your local air quality authority concerning health hazards, burn bans and other impacts from this event.

Brilliant 'Fog Bow' greets Air Force One at Sea-Tac Airport

 By Scott Sistek Published: Nov 25, 2013 at 2:35 PM PST 

Seattle put on quite a show when President Obama arrived

at Sea-Tac Airport Sunday evening with a brilliant sky highlighting a setting-sun-kissed Mt. Rainier. What to do for an encore? How about an unusual "fog bow" for his departure?

full story:

http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/Fog-Bow-on-hand-to-wave-goodbye-to-Air-Force-One-at-Sea-Tac-233373871.html

CHECK FLIGHT DELAYS ACROSS THE COUNTRY -You'll Want to Bookmark this Site

FAA Flight Delay Information - Air Traffic Control System                                                                   Command Center CHECK FLIGHT DELAYS, length of delay, closures and other information at a glance                                           with this national map provided by the FAA.  check the link to get a peek:

http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp

Paging Q*bert: Frigid night leaves cubic frost pattern on windshield

By Scott Sistek Published: Nov 22, 2013 at 10:48 AM PST

full story:

 http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/Paging-Q-Bert-Frigid-night-leaves-cubic-frost-pattern-on-windshield-233031421.html

QUIET WEATHER FOR THANKSGIVING TRAVEL ACROSS NORTHWEST

Benign weather will continue through much of the upcoming Thanksgiving week. A strong ridge of high pressure will deflect any potential weather makers (at least the one's that would bring us precipitation) to the north and south of the Inland Northwest. This same ridge will also keep strong temperature inversions in place. With very little air movement expected the Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect. The ridge will eventually get suppressed, opening the door for a potentially more significant weather system later this weekend into next week.

The Chanukah-Thanksgiving Weather Miracle

The last time it occurred was 1888 and the next occurrence won't be for 77,000 years:  Chanukah and Thanksgiving will occur on the same day, called Thanksgivukkah by some.

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/

A huge recruiting weekend on tap for WSU

A huge recruiting weekend on tap for WSU By Mark Sandritter  @MarkSandritter on Nov 20 2013, 9:00a

WSU will play its final home game of the season on Saturday and will attempt to take advantage with a big recruiting weekend.

full story:

http://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-football-recruiting/2013/11/20/5125058/wsu-football-recruiting-washington-state-cougars-mike-leach

7 DAY WEATHER EXPLAINER

MORE OF THE SAME ALL WEEK

Strengthening High Pressure will keep conditions cold & dry with calm winds for the coming week. The coldest morning temperatures should continue to drop to the 20s with afternoon high temperatures in the 40s. The inversion (a layer of warm air trapping cold air near the ground) means that the air will continue to stagnate and pollutants will build each day until a brisk wind arrives to scour it out of the valleys.  This doesn’t look likely until Friday.

A weak system Tuesday will not stir the wind enough to resolve the issue.  By Friday, the high pressure finally weakens enough to allow a front to approach from the north.  This front will stay parked over Northern Washington & Idaho sending enough moisture to prohibit fog formation and send in clouds.  At this point, it looks like it will be Monday before the atmosphere moistens enough for a chance of rain.

LC VALLY WEATHER FORECAST- Persistent Sunny & Cold

2nd Verse, same as the first....

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy with fog forming after midnight.  Temperatures will drop to the lower 20s by sunrise.

MONDAY: Patchy Morning Fog, then mostly sunny, warmest afternoon temperatures in the lower 40s.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny after patchy morning fog, morning low upper 20s, afternoon high temp upper 40s.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny after patchy morning fog, morning lows – upper 20s, afternoon highs- near 50 degrees.

THANKSGIVING: Partly sunny after patchy morning fog, morning lows- near 30, highs – upper 40s.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny low near 30, high temperature-mid 40s.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, morning low- lower 30s, high mid 40s.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, low temperature-lower 30s, high lower 40s.

Just past Kooskia, heading up HWY 12 toward Missoula

a sign you'd never see in Indiana!!  (that's my Honda - about to make the climb)

Lochsa River, Idaho

I had to stop and snap this pick of the beautiful Lochsa River in July

...where the Sandstroms camped and fished in the 70s

Crooked River July 2013

Crooked River

Showing the next Von Bargen generation where grandpa fished....

Idaho Wildlife - 4 point buck

I found this 4 point Mule Deer along the South Fork of the Clearwater River near Elk City in July

Action shot of same deer

TODAY'S BIG WEATHER STORY IS....THE BURN BAN

BURN BAN
Doesn't a cozy, warm fire sound really nice on a cold day like this?  If you were looking forward to firing up the wood stove or throwing another log on the fire....you should know about the burn ban. Make sure your fireplace or wood stove is up to environmental standards.

see NWS map below or click the link for a closer look
  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/make_img.php?wfo=otx&iname=Active_Screen1L&size=1&force=no

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A BURN BAN
The highlighted counties  are under a burn ban. This ban restricts the use of outside burning and the use of unapproved indoor fireplaces and stoves

TODAY'S BIG WEATHER STORY IS....STAGNANT AIR

POOR AIR QUALITY continues to plague the Inland Northwest. We need a good breeze to scour the pollutants out of our valleys.  This isn't expected to happen until Tuesday at the earliest.

What Causes Air Stagnation?
High pressure (dry weather) with light to calm winds for days on end, allow pollution to build up in the lower elevations.  Valleys are most susceptible.

What is the Hazard?
STAGNANT AIR means poor air quality (unhealthy air) - this is not the best time to go for a jog and breathe it in.  Each day the stale conditions persist, the pollution builds.  Car exhaust, filling your gas tank, mowing your lawn can all contribute to the pollution build up.  Those with breathing issues should stay indoors as much as possible.

today's air quality index is "moderate" check your area of the Inland NW and the Lewiston, Idaho live cam
http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=26

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA

SUN NOV 24 2013

...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST
MONDAY...

* AIR QUALITY: POLLUTION BUILD UP WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH MONDAY.

* TIMING: THROUGH 4 PM PST MONDAY. LATE NIGHT AND EARLY MORNING
  PERIODS ARE THE MOST LIKELY PERIODS FOR UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY.

* IMPACTS: INCREASED POLLUTANTS COULD AGGRAVATE SENSITIVITY TO
  SMOKE AND OTHER PARTICULATES IN THE AIR.

* WEB PAGE: FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA VISIT
  HTTP://WWW.WRH.NOAA.GOV/WRH/WHV/?WFO=OTX

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY INDICATES THAT DUE TO LIMITED MOVEMENT
OF AN AIR MASS ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA...POLLUTION HAS THE
POTENTIAL TO INCREASE TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. PERSONS WITH
RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR PHYSICIANS ADVICE FOR
DEALING WITH HIGH LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION.