Looks like some rare conditions in central Washington today - from the National Weather Service - Storm Prediction Center for this morning:
...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL/NORTHERN OREGON AND CENTRAL/EASTERN WASHINGTON...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered severe thunderstorms, offering destructive winds and hail, are expected today over parts of the interior Pacific Northwest, east of the Cascades.
...Synopsis...
A high-amplitude upper-air pattern will influence the CONUS this period, with a deep mean trough persisting over the northeastern Pacific, and another major trough extending from a cyclone over Baffin Island southward to the central/southern Appalachians. In between, a sharp ridge will move slowly eastward from the Rockies across the adjoining High Plains. A formerly cutoff cyclone -- its center now apparent in moisture-channel imagery west of the central CA coastline -- will accelerate north-northeastward while devolving into a strong shortwave trough. By 00Z, the vorticity max representing the core region of the cyclone should reach northernmost CA. By 12Z, the negatively tilted shortwave trough should reach southern WA, eastern OR and western ID.
Highway 20 is open across the Cascades - Stevens Pass opened about a month ago so it would be a 400 mile drive this afternoon and evening. Seriously considering heading over there with cameras. I do love a good thunderstorm and this forecast sounds like an epic one. Time to get the camera batteries charging and some memory cards cleaned off - make my decision around 1PM today or so.
Gorgeous sunrise this morning if that is any indication - red skies in morning and all that...
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