Hurricane Force wind Gusts = Not really a thing

I've heard this term (which makes me wince each time) quite a lot on news channels describing the "Blizzard of 2015".  The following is a 2011 article by my friend,

weather guru, Jan Null:

It seems that anytime there is a wind gust over about 60 mph the airwaves and other sources,
including NWS statements, are rife with the expression “hurricane force” winds. While this
might be good for conveying that it’s windy and might be dangerous, it’s both bad meteorology
and bad physics! (And calling it a hurricane force gust doesn’t make it right either)
Let’s start with some basics. The threshold for hurricane winds is when the 1-
minute sustained winds equal or exceed 74 miles per hour. Please note the word
“sustained”! According to the NOAA Hurricane Research Division, peak 3 to 5-
second gusts are approximately 30% higher than their associated sustained winds.
This means that a 74 mph sustained wind of a minimal hurricane has gusts in the
range of 96 mph. Quite a difference.

But that’s just the wind speed. What about the amount of force from the wind onto a surface that
is perpendicular to the wind? From high school physics we remember that the force associated
with a given speed is proportional to the square of the wind speed. (For the over achievers out
there, the formula to calculate this force is: F = .00256 x V^2, where F is the force in pounds per
square foot (psf), and V is the wind velocity in mph) Consequently, the amount of force with a
74 mph gust is 14.0 psf, while the force from a 96 mph gust is 23.6 psf; or 69% higher.
The bottom line is that a gust to 74 mph is NOT even close to hurricane force!
http://www.examiner.com/weather-in-san-francisco/meteorological-pet-peeves-part-1-of-3.
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Jan Null
Certified Consulting Meteorologist
Golden Gate Weather Services
Phone: (408) 379-7500
Email: jnull@ggweather.com
Webpage: http://ggweather.com
"Climate is what you expect,
Weather is what you get". ~ R. Heinlein
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New Steelhead Season in Idaho starts with Best Run in Years

LEWISTON, ID - January first is not only the start of a new year, it's also opening day for a new steelhead season in Idaho.

With the new season, fishermen are reminded they need to buy a new license and a new steelhead tag.

This is different from Washington, where fishermen buy their licenses in the spring.

With the new season in Idaho, the limits are raised to three per-day and nine in possession. And there is good news for anglers, this is expected to be an excellent run.

"In fact, if you look at counts over Lower Granite Dam, we have about 20,000 steelhead destined for the Clearwater and if you want to compare that to previous years, last year we only had 8,000 at the same time," said Joe Dupont with the Idaho Fish and Game. "So quite a difference and two years ago we had 13,000 so it's a very good year when compared to the past few years." 

Another reminder for steelhead fishermen is that you can only use barbless hooks and may only keep hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin. All other steelhead must

be released

Incredible sunrise over Mt. Hood Friday

Amazing sunrise over Mt. Hood Friday

The sunrise over Mt. Hood was spectacular Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2015. (Photo: Tyler Mode)

see more incredible NW pictues  http://ow.ly/GIXqE 

Go Seahawks!!

NW Weather-Monday NIght: Bitterly Cold Wind Chills

The region will experience a period of bitterly cold wind chill temperatures Monday Night. Frigid overnight lows coupled with persistent winds will lead to downright raw conditions. The entire region will see values fall to or below zero. Locations in the Idaho Panhandle will fall to near -20F. Be prepared for the conditions if you will be outdoors Monday Night

Monday: Cold Winds Blow

An arctic cold front will bring very cold temperatures and gusty winds back into the Inland Northwest on Monday. The cold air will squeeze through the valleys of north Idaho and northern Washington, with localized wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph expected at times. The strongest winds are expected down the Okanogan Valley and Purcell Trench. This will create wind chills near zero Monday and well below zero Monday Night. Also, some localized blowing and drifting of recent snowfall is possible.

More Snow Overnight

Snow showers are possible once again overnight for much of the region, especially in the Cascades and Blue Mountains. Other locations outside will only see light snowfall with the vast majority receiving under an inch.