Hurricane Season Begins: List of Names

Here’s the official list of Tropical Storm and Hurricane names for the Atlantic Ocean.  Strongest and most numerous storms are later August through early October, although the season officially runs from today through late November.  Luckily none of them look too hard to pronounce, like those Icelandic Volcanoes!

Warm Weather Update:  Instead of seeing the models back off (the nightmare forecast scenario mentioned 2 days ago), they are in total agreement on the details through late Sunday.  In fact the upper low moving towards California is a bit farther offshore Friday, which means easterly (offshore) flow commences right away on Friday.  We could see our warmest day of the year so far on Friday (75 would do it).  So the big story is that our first summery weekend is on track!  As a result I purchased my tomatoes and intend to plant them tomorrow while it’s still cool.  Warm weather veggies are going in the ground as well since I can cover them with plastic when it’s much cooler next week.

Chief Meteorologist Mark Nelsen

Larch Mountain Snow Gate Still Closed

Here’s yet another effect of the historically cold and wet Spring 2011.  The highest paved road in Multnomah County will remained closed through much of June, which is quite unusual.  This is from Multnomah County, via the Corbett, Oregon website:

The upper section of Larch Mountain Road beyond milepost 10 in rural east county remains closed due to heavy snowfalls this winter and spring. Larch Mountain Road is the highest road in Multnomah County’s jurisdiction, reaching an altitude of 4055 feet.  

Each winter, the county closes public access to recreation areas off upper Larch Mountain Road by installing a snow gate at milepost 10.  Opening the upper section of the road for recreational users happens when snow levels decline. The upper section of Larch Mountain Road is expected to reopen in late June.  Multnomah County will send out an announcement when the road reopens.

This affects tourists, hikers, bicyclists, and star-gazers; it’s the closest high-elevation location with easy access from Portland.

In other news, I see Sparky the Firedog will be visiting the Fire Station #14 during their Pancake Breakfast this Saturday.  Looks windy, sunny, and warm! 

Chief Meteorologist Mark Nelsen