Jim's weather 'Rant' :

[JL]

I love this noaa loop. Don't forget to try the 'buttons'... http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/nepac/loop-wv.html Here is another 'loop' to keep an eye on Mexico. Lots of menu items as well: Hurricane articles etc. http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/epac/loop-wv.html Here is the same thing but W. Atlantic: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/east/watl/loop-wv.html

[mortontoemike]

There is a nice high-resolution satelite site at http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/geo/goes-composite/ . Click on Vancouver Island for a close up view and choose "High" image quality for a high-res photo that you can magnify on your screen.

Another one showing the Pacific. http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/goeswestpacus.html Same deal. Click on Vancouver Island for a Zoom view or animate for hours of fun.

[JL]

The http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/jet_stream/index_e.html is just the high way the weather systems track along. If the 'jet' is N. of us (typical summer) we live in a 'high pressure' bubble enjoying clear skies uninterrupted by weather 'systems'...If the 'jet' is S. of us we are bombarded by weather events as they roar off the Pacific. Watch the animated images & observe how they are influenced by the 'jet' http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/ ... r_enhanced+ Here is a static image with pressure (isobar) lines. http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/ ... ?sat_300+1

[Wavos Rancheros]

A pilot once told me that the wind on Nitinat lake is 'catabatic' .....does the ring true for you jl?

[JL]

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Anabatic+wind seems more like it to me. Or 'diurnal' ('happens' during the day) I like that one.

[downwind dave]

katabatic wind is the surprise night wind that flips everyones sail over .

[Wavos Rancheros]

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.c ... batic+wind

right...come to think of that pilot does a lot of night flying

[more force 4]

Anabatic and katabatic winds are both associated with mountains (though katabatic winds off the Andes can cross the pampas and go hundreds of km offshore from Argentina, but they start as glacier-cooled air). The Nitinat wind is strictly thermal with the only mountain effect being some venturi acceleration from the lake narrowing. I expect a torrent of rebuttal!

[JL]

Not from me !!!

[JL]

Model explanation: Click on: 'visual description here' http://www.atmos.washington.edu/mm5rt/d ... wssfc.html

[JL]

Try out the 'ZOOM' function on this infrared anim. image: http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/west/anim ... estir.html ... Select 'zoom' & click on the screen where you would like it centered & zoomed...More 'clicks' , more 'zoom' !!! The color option is nice as well...

[sonicspectrum]

I posted this a little while ago on the bullitin board too but this thread is developing nicely, so here it is for all time's sake.

This link: http://www.merrittflyingclub.ca/ is a great link to see what the weather conditions are like at Nicola Lake out by Merritt.

JZ

[JL]

A Marine push is a layer of 'marine air' (fog/low cloud) moving onto the coast ... As stated it's like a turbo charger for any wind ... Typically the strongest winds are right @ the edge of the fog ... http://www.atmos.washington.edu/2003Q3/ ... 1kmvis.gif

[JL]

N.O.A.A.: F.A.Q's. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/FAQs/EG-AFD_FAQs.php

[JL]

With darkness a big part of our 24 hour 'day' this time of year these links may help: http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/op ... html#guide http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/op ... loopw.html & my favorite: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/nepac/loop-wv.html