Less snow expected for 2018-2019
Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff Harris and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
A 'tale of three winters'
As predicted many weeks ago, snow returned to Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions on Valentine’s Day. Cliff Harris measured 6 inches at his station last Wednesday. It wasn’t a record, but it was close. The snowiest Valentine’s Day occurred in 1949 when 7 inches of snow fell.
BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
See how you'd like this cold-weather cure
I got to sit down Thursday with the managing editor of the Coeur d’Alene Press, Mike Patrick, to do our first “live” Facebook telecast. We wanted to thank the many people who watched us talk about the weather.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS AGO
New weather satellites to enhance weather forecasting
Last week was one of the coldest we’ve seen in years. High temperatures only managed to make it into the teens from Wednesday through Saturday.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS AGO
Prepare for spurts of rain and snow
December is here and we’ve finally seen some snow after a relatively mild November. Cliff tells me that our snowless November in Coeur d’Alene has happened only seven times since 1895. However, Spokane International Airport picked up 3.3 inches of snow last month. It’s extremely unusual to see our neighbors …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Many 500-year or 1,000-year floods reported this year
It’s almost hard to believe, but areas that are currently reporting major drought conditions experienced massive flooding earlier this year. Normally, we see these huge 500-year or 1,000-year flood events less than once per year. For 2016, there have been nearly a dozen events, which indicates that our cycle of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Weak La Nina expected to bring more snow than normal
Sea-surface temperatures are very different today than they were a year ago. Scientists say that we have a weak cooler than normal sea-surface temperature event, La Nina, in the south-central Pacific Ocean.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
White Christmas more than likely in North Idaho
We’re into the full moon cycle this week and temperatures are expected to get colder across the Inland Empire. There is still the chance for some snow showers in the lower elevations during this full moon cycle that began today and ends on Nov. 20, thanks to the invasion of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
October will be another month of extremes
It’s Halloween Monday and the last day of what I would call a very “extreme” month weatherwise across much of the country and the world. On one western side of the country, we’ve had record rains in places while severe drought plagues the southeastern portion of the U.S.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
City-by-city outlooks feature snowy winter ahead
At this time of year, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city winter snowfall predictions for Coeur d’Alene and other areas across the Inland Northwest.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
A very wet and windy October in our region
We had a big change in the weather pattern late last week. Potent storms have brought moderate to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm that came in on Thursday and into Friday brought 1.19 inches of rain to Coeur d’Alene with a wind gust of 48 miles per hour …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Full moon makes North Idaho weather interesting
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Many parts of the country, and world, continue to see wild weather extremes
Much of North Idaho and surrounding regions enjoyed a nice summer season. It was a bit drier than normal overall and temperatures were close to normal. Despite a few showery periods, the early fall season has been pretty good as well.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
A phenomenon known as 'thundersnow'
Last Sunday night, Sept. 18, a thunderstorm of a relatively small size, but rather intense, moved across the Coeur d’Alene area. There were numerous flashes of lightning, loud thunder and pockets of heavy rainfall. The heaviest precipitation was seen across Lake Fernan as .27 inches of rain fell in about …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
It may be more of a 'La Nada' than a 'La Nina' this fall season
Last week, I talked about the chances for freezes in the Coeur d’Alene area. Temperatures last Monday and Tuesday dropped into the 30s around the Lake City, but frosts and freezes were reported from Rathdrum and Athol northward. Athol dipped to 31 degrees on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Spirit Lake dropped …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Talkin' first freeze and Indian summer
Rain showers returned to North Idaho during our “new moon” cycle in early September. Temperatures were also quite chilly as highs were only in the upper 50s last Tuesday. Ten days prior, on Aug. 29, our high was a hot 91 degrees at Cliff’s station in Northwest Coeur d’Alene.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Our meteorological fall has arrived
September is here and so is a change in our weather pattern. Rain returned to the region last Friday as we entered the normally wet “new moon” lunar phase. Prior to the shower activity, the last time Coeur d’Alene saw any measurable rainfall was Aug. 9 when .43 inches was …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
How accurate is Old Farmer's Almanac?
It’s been brought to my attention from a number of weather enthusiasts and readers about the recent prediction from the original Old Farmer’s Almanac. Their winter forecast calls for snowier and milder than normal for us residents in North Idaho and surrounding regions. They also foresee snowy weather for much …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
The Jupiter effect
There has been a celestial body that received a lot of media attention this summer. The largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter, is going to be studied more closely thanks to the NASA probe Juno. This spacecraft will be the ninth one to visit the gas giant.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Summer weather extremes
July was indeed a hot month across much of the country and other parts of the world. Here in the Inland Northwest, average temperatures for July were a bit cooler than normal despite the very hot weather during the last week of the month.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
A new La Nina may bring us a snowy winter
May of 2016 marked the end of one of the strongest El Ninos in recorded history. We are currently in a La Nada, the in-between warmer El Nino and cooler La Nina sea-surface temperature pattern in the south-central Pacific Ocean. Ocean temperatures are now cooling down along the Equatorial regions …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
What hot summer? Not here in Northwest
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, recently released its National Overview for June of 2016. As many suspected for the Lower 48 of the United States, temperatures were much warmer than normal and precipitation fell short of average in most places for June of 2016.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
More on supervolcanoes ... but not to worry
Last week, I featured an article discussing Yellowstone’s eruption history. Apparently, there are a number of people who are extremely concerned that a major eruption of this supervolcano may be seen in the near future.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Antarctica may be linked to massive extinction
Last week, I talked about the extremes of Antarctica. Parts of the continent at the bottom of the world in the Southern Hemisphere have already reported temperatures below minus-100 degrees Fahrenheit and their winter season officially began today.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Antarctica: A place of ice, extremes - and mystery
Next Monday, June 20, summer officially begins here in the Inland Empire and across the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite the recent cooldown, we’ve already had a good taste of summer as record high temperatures in the 90s were reported early last week. The hottest day at the Coeur …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Nice here, but historical flooding in Texas
The weather this last week across the Inland Empire was pretty nice. Conditions were generally dry and temperatures once again warmed up to above normal levels on Friday and Saturday. As of late last week, readings were forecast to hit 90 degrees in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area on …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Fire season coming; maybe it's already here
The first day of summer is four weeks away, which means that wildfire season is fast approaching as well. The Inland Northwest suffered through one of its worst fire seasons, especially in terms of the number of blazes, in recorded history in 2015. Over 1.1 million acres burned across Washington …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Is Mount St. Helens showing new signs of life?
Over a week ago, the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) stated that a large number of small earthquakes were reported around Mount St. Helens. The swarm of tremors, over 130 of them, had magnitudes of 0.5 or less. The tremors have been increasing since March, but, they were so small …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Once-strong El Nino causing more extremes
Since early this year, we’ve been hearing about El Nino, the warmer than normal sea-surface temperature pattern in the south-central Pacific Ocean. The latest data now shows that El Nino is weakening at a rapid rate. In fact, we’re beginning to see regions of cooler than normal readings from along …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Is earthquake activity increasing?
One of the topics I cover in my Physical Geography class at North Idaho College is earthquakes and volcanoes. Some readers have been asking if the recent earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan are a sign of increased activity.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
More active hurricane season expected
A more active tropical storm and hurricane season may be just around the meteorological corner, especially when compared to last season. Some forecasters believe that 2016 may be another season of below normal tropical storm and hurricane activity in the waters of the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean as El Nino …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
More weather extremes across North America
I’ve received a number of compliments about our weather pattern last week. Many were enjoying the abundance of sunshine and very warm temperatures as highs climbed into the 70s late last week. In Coeur d’Alene, the mercury hit 74 degrees on Thursday and a near-record 79 on Friday and 76 …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Idaho isn't immune to tornadoes, folks
March was a wet month across the Inland Northwest. Cliff measured 5.09 inches of rain and melted snow at his station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene. The normal is only 1.94 inches. Our seasonal total is a little less than 12 inches, compared to a normal of about 8 inches.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Major Northwest quake may be a ways off yet
Last week I wrote about major earthquakes, including the possibility of one along the Pacific Northwest coast. Many of the big shakers are felt in Alaska and California.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Parts of the West could be in the beginning of a megadrought pattern
We’re about halfway through March and precipitation totals here in the Inland Empire are quite healthy. A series of storms has brought our seasonal total in Coeur d’Alene to just over 9 inches as of early Sunday, compared to the normal of slightly less than 7 inches of moisture. There’s …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
The story behind Daylight Saving Time
On Sunday, March 13, most U.S. and European residents will move their clocks forward one hour. Daylight Saving Time is the cycle that starts in the second week of March and ends in the first week of November. The main purpose of this time change is to provide more daylight …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Thunderstorms rumble on the horizon
It’s a case of two different coasts, in terms of the weather. Since the beginning of 2016, the East Coast has been battered by strong storms. The Northeast has seen flooding rains and snow with severe conditions, including tornado outbreaks, southward down to the Gulf of Mexico. The long-range computer …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Could we see a cooler La Nina late this year?
In about a month, winter will officially end and spring will begin. For the 2015-16 snowfall season, it was certainly an unusual year across the Inland Empire.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
We still have an active sunspot cycle
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA, 2015 was the warmest year in 136 years of record-keeping. Combining land and ocean temperatures, last year was over 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th Century average of about 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit, topping out at 58.62 degrees.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
This time, Phil just might be right
Last Tuesday, February 2, was Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow. On that particular day, the region was between storm systems, but the clouds did manage to hang around a bit longer. According to the legend, if the infamous groundhog does not see his shadow, then …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Does the groundhog see an early spring?
After enduring big snows in December and below freezing temperatures for many days during this winter season, many are now asking, “when does spring get here?” Folks here in the Inland Empire have made it clear that they are ready for more sunshine and warmer days. I have to admit, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Some of those Californians are getting soaked
Last week, I provided an update on the very strong El Nino, the warmer than normal sea-surface temperature pattern in the south-central Pacific Ocean. As this phenomenon gained strength, many experts believed that typical weather patterns for this event, which include with heavy rains in Southern California and drier conditions …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
This winter's El Nino has probably peaked
According to scientists at the Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the warm-water phenomenon, El Nino, has likely peaked in terms of warmth in the south-central Pacific Ocean. They also state that it’s a guarantee that this El Nino will be in the top 3, in terms of strength, since 1950. Other …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
2015 was a sleighride of wild extremes
Around this time in January, Cliff Harris provides our readers with a look back at the wild weather for the previous year. He recorded many unusual events in 2015 at his station on Player Drive, so he was kind enough to do this again so I could enjoy a few …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
Weather extremes should continue across U.S.
January of 2016 is starting off dry across the Inland Northwest as many are welcoming the break from the heavy snow pattern of mid to late December.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
The East envied our lovely White Christmas
Many residents east of the Rockies are looking at the West with envy. We are one of the few places that enjoyed a White Christmas. In fact, there was plenty of the white stuff for sledding as about 19 inches was reported on the ground on Christmas Eve at Cliff’s …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
Go ahead: Dream of a White Christmas!
The heaviest snowfall of the season finally arrived across the Inland Northwest late last Thursday and early Friday. Snowfall totals were around 3-6 inches in the lower elevations with about 6-12 inches in the higher mountains. Ski conditions look very good through the rest of the holiday season.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
What a wild, wacky weather year it's been
This year is going to to be remembered as another period of wide weather extremes of cold, heat, rain, snow and more across our region and the rest of the globe. Last week alone, the Inland Northwest broke high temperature and precipitation records. We also had another day with very …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Here's what advisories, warnings mean
With the official start to winter less than a month away, the biggest question I’m getting is, “How much snow are we going to get this winter?” We’re off to a slow start, as expected, as snowfall totals for November 2015 are only going to end up at 2.9 inches. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
The Big Blow, and other weather stories
A storm of historic proportions slammed into the northwestern portion of the country last Tuesday. Very strong winds led to numerous power outages, downed trees and power lines and damaged buildings.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
More extreme weather on tap for Texas
Our pattern of Wide Weather ‘Extremes’ continues across the world. We’re seeing patterns of floods and droughts along with record-breaking temperatures across many areas.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Our city-by-city winter snowfall predictions
It’s that time of year again. I’ve been receiving numerous emails and questions concerning the upcoming winter season. Of course, many want to know how much snow is expected to fall in Coeur d’Alene and other areas, including the mountains.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
El Nino should be with us through the winter
I’ve been receiving numerous questions about our upcoming winter season as many are wondering how much snow is going to fall across our area. Last winter, the season of 2014-15, Cliff’s station only managed to pick up 36.5 inches of the white stuff. The normal is slightly less than 70 …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Recalling the Columbus Day Storm of '62
We’re well into the fall season across the Inland Empire and last Wednesday, North Idaho finally received some much-needed rainfall. Despite a high barometric pressure, that particular storm managed to hold together and dropped .29 inches of moisture at Cliff’s station. Most other regions reported similar amounts.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Are El Nino rains starting to arrive in California?
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, moisture from the tropical Pacific dumped over 2.4 inches of rain across the Los Angeles area. It was the second wettest September day in history in downtown Los Angeles. Parts of San Bernardino County to the north of Los Angeles picked up over five inches of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Entering the 'leaf-peeping weather' season
As the fall season continues to advance, the beauty of the Inland Northwest is enhanced by the tremendous ‘fall foliage.’ The next several weeks should provide the greatest display of color in the region.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Recent rains have helped in disastrous fire season
After one of the hottest and driest summers in recorded history across the Inland Northwest, we finally received some much-needed rainfall in late August and early September along with cooler temperatures.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Ladies and gents, meet your weatherMann
Just in case some of you haven’t heard the latest news regarding Cliff Harris’s Weather Gems column, he has retired after 25 years. Honestly, I thought I would retire before him, and I’m 52 years old. But beginning today, it will be my job, and pleasure, to provide readers of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Yellowstone sees more thermal activity
Yellowstone National Park is one of nature's most beautiful locations. However, underneath this region lies an active supervolcano as the park sits on top of a large caldera. Due to its number of active geysers and hot springs, Yellowstone has become the most watched supervolcano in the world.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
An active hurricane season is expected
Cliff and I see another active tropical storm and hurricane season may be just around the meteorological corner. Many hurricane forecasters, including us, believe this upcoming season has the potential to approach 20 named storms.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
A weak 'El Nino' appears to be forming
The latest sea-surface temperature data indicates that ocean temperatures off the west coast of South America and along the equatorial regions are continuing to warm up. Readings near the South American coastline have climbed to several degrees above normal. There have also been isolated regions of ocean waters over 3 …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Could we see a new 'El Nino' in the near future?
The latest sea-surface temperature data indicates that we're in a "La Nada," or in-between the warmer El Nino and cooler La Nina phenomenons. Readings near the South American coastline have warmed to "above" normal levels since the middle of April. After another long period with La Nina, the cooler than …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Active tropical storm season expected
Editor's Note: Cliff Harris is off this week, so meteorologist Randy Mann is pinch-hitting for this week's "Gems."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
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