Gale Warning 69, NWS Seattle, WA

836 
WHUS76 KSEW 140344
MWWSEW

URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
844 PM PDT SAT AUG 13 2016

PZZ131-132-141145-
/O.CON.KSEW.GL.W.0069.000000T0000Z-160814T0700Z/
/O.CON.KSEW.SC.Y.0195.160814T0700Z-160814T1200Z/
/O.CON.KSEW.GL.A.0045.160815T0100Z-160815T1200Z/
CENTRAL U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
EAST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
844 PM PDT SAT AUG 13 2016

...GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
5 AM PDT SUNDAY...
...GALE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WINDS AND WAVES...WEST WINDS 25 TO 35 KNOTS THIS EVENING. WIND
  WAVES 4 TO 6 FEET. WINDS WILL DIMINISH TO 15 TO 25 KNOTS AFTER
  MIDNIGHT AND EVEN FURTHER TO BELOW 20 KNOTS BY 5AM SUNDAY. WINDS
  WILL INCREASE ONCE MORE TO 25 TO 35 KNOTS SUNDAY EVENING WITH
  WIND WAVES BUILDING AGAIN TO 4 TO 6 FEET.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A GALE WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 34 TO 47 KNOTS ARE IMMINENT OR
OCCURRING. OPERATING A VESSEL IN GALE CONDITIONS REQUIRES
EXPERIENCE AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED VESSELS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
THAT MARINERS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERIENCE SEEK SAFE HARBOR PRIOR
TO THE ONSET OF GALE CONDITIONS.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND SPEEDS OF 21 TO 33 KNOTS ARE
EXPECTED TO PRODUCE HAZARDOUS WAVE CONDITIONS TO SMALL CRAFT.
INEXPERIENCED MARINERS...ESPECIALLY THOSE OPERATING SMALLER VESSELS
SHOULD AVOID NAVIGATING IN THESE CONDITIONS.

A GALE WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN THE RISK OF GALE FORCE WINDS OF 34 TO
47 KNOTS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED...BUT THE SPECIFIC TIMING
AND/OR LOCATION IS STILL UNCERTAIN. IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL LEAD TIME FOR MARINERS WHO MAY WISH TO CONSIDER ALTERING
THEIR PLANS.

&&

$$

PZZ170-173-176-141145-
/O.CON.KSEW.SC.Y.0194.000000T0000Z-160814T1800Z/
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE FLATTERY TO JAMES ISLAND 10 TO 60 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM JAMES ISLAND TO POINT GRENVILLE 10 TO 60 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM POINT GRENVILLE TO CAPE SHOALWATER 10 TO 60 NM-
844 PM PDT SAT AUG 13 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT SUNDAY...

* WINDS...NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 KNOTS.

* WAVES/SEAS...WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FEET.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND SPEEDS OF 21 TO 33 KNOTS ARE
EXPECTED TO PRODUCE HAZARDOUS WAVE CONDITIONS TO SMALL CRAFT.
INEXPERIENCED MARINERS...ESPECIALLY THOSE OPERATING SMALLER VESSELS
SHOULD AVOID NAVIGATING IN THESE CONDITIONS.

&&

$$


WWW.WEATHER.GOV

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Seattle WA
312 PM PDT SAT AUG 13 2016

.SYNOPSIS...A weak upper ridge along with onshore flow at the
surface will keep temperatures near or slightly above normal
through midweek, with areas of late night and morning clouds.
Toward the end of the week, a stronger ridge will set up and
surface flow will switch to northerly or even offshore for clear
skies and very warm daytime temperatures.

&&

.SHORT TERM...The flow pattern will switch to onshore tonight as
higher surface pressure builds offshore tonight and lower pressure
builds inland. This onshore flow pattern will persist through at
least Tuesday night, bringing cooler temperatures than we have
had the last few days. However, temperatures will still remain
near or slightly above normal for this time of the year: in the
lower 80s for the Seattle metro.

As the surface pressure gradient switches from more westerly
during the day to more southwesterly each evening, expect marine
clouds and patchy fog to move inland during the late night and
morning hours. Expect these clouds to mostly burn off during the
day, except for possibly at the coast. Aloft, a weak and broad
ridge will remain in place with a couple of shortwave troughs
passing to our south (through Oregon and northern California)
Sunday evening and then again on Tuesday evening. These troughs
could provide some support for the onshore flow and keep the
temperatures slightly cooler than they would be otherwise, however
any effects will be small.

From the recent high resolution model runs, the strongest onshore
flow looks to be Sunday night into Monday morning, so low cloud
coverage will likely be most extensive Monday morning. Smith

.LONG TERM...On Wednesday, the surface gradients will begin to
switch to more northwesterly and the surface winds will switch to
more northerly. Without marine air infiltrating into the area
each night and morning, daily max temps will rise again beginning
Thursday. Recent model runs have been in agreement that a broad
trough will move through Montana and northern Idaho late next week
and a stronger ridge will begin to set up over Western Washington.
This strong ridging aloft would also contribute to warmer
temperatures near the end of the week. Possible offshore flow at
the surface on Friday could lead to the warmest temperatures being
on that day. Smith

&&

.AVIATION...An upper level ridge over the Pac NW will maintain a
dry and stable air mass across Western Washington tonight and
Sunday. The flow aloft is westerly. There is scattered to broken cirrus
over the area late this afternoon with low level stratus along the
coast. Onshore flow will bring the marine clouds farther inland
overnight, possibly to the south sound. Low clouds will burn back
to the coast Sunday afternoon. 33

KSEA...VFR conditions tonight with light N winds. Patchy low
clouds in the vicinity early Sunday morning. 33

&&

.MARINE...High pressure over the NE Pacific will maintain onshore
flow across Western WA. Westerly winds will increase through the
central and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca late this afternoon and
evening - a Small Craft Advisory is in effect. Winds through the
strait will increase further Sun evening with gales possible.
Weak to moderate onshore flow will continue through the middle of
next week. The flow will turn offshore on Friday as low pressure
forms along the coast. 33

&&

.SEW Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
WA...None.
PZ...Gale Watch from Sunday evening through late Sunday night for
     Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance
     U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

     Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT Sunday for Central U.S.
     Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance U.S. Waters
     Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

     Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PDT Sunday for Coastal Waters
     From Cape Flattery To James Island 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal
     Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm-
     Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10
     To 60 Nm.

&&

www.weather.gov/seattle

You can see an illustrated version of this discussion at
www.weather.gov/seattle/gafd/latest_webafd.html