As I sit here Christmas Day writing my column, I am looking out the window at a very gray, overcast sky. Yes, the fog has lifted and I can see a wee peek of brightness trying to penetrate the stratus clouds. Meanwhile, I am envious of a few of my Facebook friends spending Christmas at the coast, posting themselves walking along the beach under clear, blue skies and sunshine!
Yep, afternoon observations showed the entire Oregon and most of the Washington coast with sunny skies. No fair! Next year, I rent a beach house and spend the holidays there. I hate inversions. Fog and dirty air that would make Santa’s ash- and soot-tarnished suit look like a tuxedo fresh from the cleaners. Can’t burn your fireplace? Don’t blame me.
Talk about putting a lid on it. We are locked in this weather pattern where, after each little, weak weather front that manages to push through, warm air aloft settles over the cold air from the passing weather system — inversion. The coast enjoys mild and sunny weather and the mountains as well. Trapped in the valley of weather death so to speak.
Any change coming up? Nope. More of the same with slight variances as weather systems roll across British Columbia, making small changes in our pressure pattern. The fact remains that the ridge of high pressure will remain strong for the foreseeable future. This folks is a high pressure that usually locks in over us during the summer months. You know, after the Fourth of July.
