The National Weather Service Spokane, Washington

El Niño & La Niña SSTs El Niño is warmer-than- normal SST El Niño is warmer-than- normal SST La Niña is colder-than- normal SST La Niña is colder-than- normal SST

Patterns El Niño El Niño –Strong Pacific Jet Stream from West. La Niña La Niña –Jet Stream from Northwest.

Dec-Jan-Feb Temperature Probability

Dec-Jan-Feb Precipitation Probability

Seasonal Precipitation and La Niña Seasonal Precipitation Expected to be Above Normal Seasonal Precipitation Expected to be Above Normal – –Normal Snowfall at Ephrata is 18.7 – –Look for Snowfall Amounts of 19 to 24 La Niña Forecast to Continue through Spring La Niña Forecast to Continue through Spring – –Below Normal Sea Surface Temps Forecast to slowly rise into June – –Below Normal Temps and Above Normal Precip to Continue

Percent of Normal Precip Since 10/1/09 Grant County ranges from 70 to 130 percent of normal

Who Is The National Weather Service? A FEDERAL AGENCY UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) A FEDERAL AGENCY UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) OPERATES 122 FIELD OFFICES, PLUS NINE NATIONAL CENTERS WITH ABOUT 5,000 EMPLOYEES OPERATES 122 FIELD OFFICES, PLUS NINE NATIONAL CENTERS WITH ABOUT 5,000 EMPLOYEES ANNUAL BUDGET APPROXIMATELY $900 MILLION, OR APPROX $4.00 PER U.S. CITIZEN ANNUAL BUDGET APPROXIMATELY $900 MILLION, OR APPROX $4.00 PER U.S. CITIZEN THE ONLY ENTITY TO ISSUE OFFICIAL SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS THE ONLY ENTITY TO ISSUE OFFICIAL SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS

Where Is the NWS?

Spokane NWS Office 25 Employees 25 Employees –Meteorologists – Forecasters –Technicians –Others Staffed 24/7 Staffed 24/7 Duties Duties –Observations –Forecasts –Warnings

Types of Forecasts Public Public Digital Graphics Digital Graphics Hydrology Hydrology Aviation Aviation Fire Weather Fire Weather

Weather on the Web Point-n-Click NWS Forecasts Weather to Plan By

Weather on the Web Outlooks,Watches,Warnings and Advisories Text Products IDZ LEWIS AND SOUTHERN NEZ PERCE COUNTIES- 246 PM PST FRI JAN WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 PM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET... * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. * ELEVATION: MAINLY ABOVE 2000 FEET...WITH MINOR ACCUMULATIONS BELOW 2000 FEET. * TIMING: LIGHT SNOW WILL BEGIN THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY. SNOW WILL TAPER OFF SATURDAY NIGHT. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CRAIGMONT...NEZPERCE...WINCHESTER... SOLDIERS MEADOW ROAD * WINDS: NORTHWEST AROUND 5 TO 15 MPH. * IMPACTS: RECENT WARM TEMPERATURES WILL LIKELY ALLOW THE INITIAL SNOWFALL TO MELT ON AREA ROADWAYS...HOWEVER COLDER TEMPERATURES BY SATURDAY MORNING WILL LIKELY RESULT IN DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. MOTORISTS SHOULD PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY TRAVEL DURING THIS POTENTIAL WINTER STORM.

Weather on the Web NWS Forecasts Graphical

Other Services LEPC and Other Emergency Related Meetings/Events LEPC and Other Emergency Related Meetings/Events –Dam Break Exercises –Table Top Exercises –EAS Committee –Hazards assessment Spotter Training Spotter Training –Always need more Spotters Open House Open House –Every other year (next will be Oct 2011) –West Plains Location

Other Services StormReady StormReady –Weather Preparedness –Spokane County is and so is Douglas! School and Civic Organization Talks School and Civic Organization Talks –Promote the Mission of the NWS –Foster science and math –Tailor to the audience –As time and resources permit

How Can You Help Us Storm Reports Storm Reports –How Much –How High –How Strong –Damage and Impacts –Real Time –Summaries –Pictures –Twitter

Tools Available to You Twitter – send reports directly to the office Twitter – send reports directly to the office Numerous links on our website weather.gov/Spokane Numerous links on our website – weather.gov/Spokane Podcasts Podcasts

Questions?