By Gordon McCraw, Meteorologist for the Tillamook County Pioneer
Thursday, May 18, 2023
A minor upper level feature moved northeastward across the region this morning causing the flow to become more southwesterly in our area. It also increases the moisture that will aide in causing some patchy morning fog along with the marine clouds rolling in again. So, the official forecast for tonight is the marine clouds roll in then we see some patchy fog develop late and the winds diminish, lows down near 53.
We can expect partly sunny skies tomorrow, with the increased marine push, there may be some morning mist from the clouds that only partially burn off, winds becoming westerly 5-10, the high around 68. Increasing cloudiness again tomorrow night, the chance of patchy fog returning, lows near 51.
Saturday, not much changes so partly sunny skies again, winds becoming northwesterly 5-10, the high near 67, the marine clouds move in again, light winds, lows near 50.
The models still suggest that, the upper level ridge of high pressure we have had this week, will finally start to weaken and drift eastward as a trough of low pressure approaches from the west. Sunday, we see partly sunny skies, the high only near 63, then with higher pressure to the east and lower pressure to the west, we see breezy conditions developing Sunday night under partly cloudy skies, the low near 48.
Monday brings mostly sunny conditions, still breezy, the high near 62, and we see partly cloudy skies Monday night, continued breezy, lows falling to near 46.
Tuesday and Wednesday the models are having a hard time dealing with a high pressure ridge that is expected to build over the eastern Pacific, and exactly how far east it will push which will have a direct effect on the temperatures. If the ridge builds and moves over the area, then we will see the warmer temperatures again. If the ridge hangs offshore and we keep a northwesterly or northerly flow, then we will stay with the cooler temperatures. As far as precipitation goes, it continues to show dry conditions remaining over the region.
So, for now, we hedge our bets and go with mostly sunny skies Tuesday, the high temperature, with a northwesterly flow still, near 62, then mostly sunny skies Wednesday, the high temperature near 66. We expect partly cloudy nights, lows near 47