Ocean Air
7:07 AM, Temp 52.1 °F, Dew Pt 50.7 °F, Barometer 30.04 in, Wind Calm, Humidity 95%
Meteorologists call it a marine push, but around here, we refer to it as "ocean air." Both terms seem to clarify the process. Cool, moisture-laden air from the Pacific will move inland overnight. In our case, the Strait of Juan de Fuca provides a direct pathway from the ocean. Recall that if the humidity approaches 100% and the difference between the air temperature and dew point is less than 4 °F/2.5 °C, fog can form in the air mass. Generally calm and stable, cool, foggy mornings are common during the summer here.
If the system is weak, as the sun rises and warms the air, the fog will begin to dissipate. Typically, by around 10:00 AM, the fog and overcast will have given way to blue skies and warming temperatures. This is the pattern that characterized the past weekend. Sometimes the vanishing fog will reveal stubborn cool spots over the water:
1:01 PM, Temp 66.7 °F, Dew Pt 57.4 °F, Barometer 30.07 in, Wind 4 mph WSW, Humidity 72%:
The pattern continues today, but the system appears to be stronger than it was over the weekend. Partly to mostly cloudy skies will most likely persist through the day. Although these conditions are not the best for growing tomatoes, the stuff that grows here naturally thrives in them. Cool, foggy summer mornings are part of the nature of the Pacific Northwest.
Meteorologists call it a marine push, but around here, we refer to it as "ocean air." Both terms seem to clarify the process. Cool, moisture-laden air from the Pacific will move inland overnight. In our case, the Strait of Juan de Fuca provides a direct pathway from the ocean. Recall that if the humidity approaches 100% and the difference between the air temperature and dew point is less than 4 °F/2.5 °C, fog can form in the air mass. Generally calm and stable, cool, foggy mornings are common during the summer here.
If the system is weak, as the sun rises and warms the air, the fog will begin to dissipate. Typically, by around 10:00 AM, the fog and overcast will have given way to blue skies and warming temperatures. This is the pattern that characterized the past weekend. Sometimes the vanishing fog will reveal stubborn cool spots over the water:
1:01 PM, Temp 66.7 °F, Dew Pt 57.4 °F, Barometer 30.07 in, Wind 4 mph WSW, Humidity 72%:
The pattern continues today, but the system appears to be stronger than it was over the weekend. Partly to mostly cloudy skies will most likely persist through the day. Although these conditions are not the best for growing tomatoes, the stuff that grows here naturally thrives in them. Cool, foggy summer mornings are part of the nature of the Pacific Northwest.