Join U.W. scientist Cliff Mass at Barn Beach Reserve

Friday, July 31, 7:00 - 9:00 PM for a presentation de-mystifying the weather. You can also engage Cliff in informal conversation at his book signing Saturday Aug 1, 1:00 - 3:00 PM at A Book For All Seasons.

University of Washington atmospheric scientist and popular radio commentator Cliff Mass will unravel the intricacies of Northwest weather for us, from the mundane to the mystifying. The Pacific Northwest experiences the most varied and fascinating weather in the United States, including world-record winter snows, the strongest non-tropical storms in the nation, and shifts from desert to rain forest in a matter of miles. Cliff Mass' best-selling book The Weather of the Pacific Northwest is the first comprehensive and authoritative guide to Northwest weather that is directed to the general reader — helpful to boaters, hikers, and skiers and also valuable to expert meteorologists.

Cliff Mass, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington and weekly guest on KUOW radio, is the preeminent authority on Northwest weather. He has published dozens of articles on Northwest weather and leads the regional development of advanced weather prediction tools. By examining our legendary floods, snowstorms, and windstorms, and a wide variety of local weather features, Mass answers such interesting questions as:

• Why does the Northwest have localized rain shadows?
• What is the origin of the hurricane force winds that often buffet the region?
• Why does the Northwest have so few thunderstorms?
• What is the origin of the Pineapple Express?
• Why do ferryboats sometimes seem to float above the water's surface?
• Why is it so hard to predict Northwest weather?

Mass brings together eyewitness accounts, historical records, and meteorological science to explain Pacific Northwest weather. He also considers possible local effects of global warming. The final chapters guide readers in interpreting the Northwest sky and in securing weather information on their own.

Praise

"What used to be thought of as the quietly gray weather of the Northwest may now be recognized as a titanic struggle of the weather gods; full of avalanches, non-tropical cyclones, and weather-induced mirages. Turn off the TV weather, read this book, and get in touch with the magic dance of Northwestern wind, waves, and water." — Congressman Jay Inslee, co-author of Apollo's Fire: Igniting American's Clean Energy Economy

The Weather of the Pacific Northwest "may be used to teach 101-level college courses, but it's aimed at us, the weather-using public. There's a sky-spotting index for armchair forecasters, easy-to-follow charts and diagrams, and some disaster lore to help illustrate what happens when low-pressure zones and jet stream deviations collide." — Seattle Weekly

"Great progress has been made in understanding the often challenging and always interesting weather of the Pacific Northwest. Cliff Mass has either participated in or directed much of that work. Readers will directly benefit from his knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm in this highly readable, fascinating, and useful book." — Jeff Renner, Chief Meteorologist, KING Television, Seattle

Buy a SIGNED Copy of The Weather of the Pacific Northwest - $29.95