Brrr! Seattle gets winter cold out of British Columbia's 'Mighty Fraser' River [View all]
A river living up to its moniker "the Mighty Fraser" carries winter cold and gusty winds across the border from British Columbia, at times giving us blizzards and even creating the water condition called "freezing spray."
The latest storm forecast for this weekend from the National Weather Service defines where Fraser River weather hits hardest: "Preliminary Wind Forecast: Strongest winds expected across western Whatcom County, San Juan County, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Gusts may peak to 50-60 miles per hour at times."
What is this river and why does it have so much impact on us?
University of Washington climate expert Cliff Mass explained in a 2009 post. Two great river systems penetrate the Cascade Range. The Columbia River creates ice storms in the Portland area. As to the Fraser, Mass wrote:
"The most substantial weakness in the Cascades north of the Columbia River is the Fraser River valley, located just north of Bellingham.
"When cold, dense air fills the interior basin of British Columbia, a big pressure difference occurs down the Fraser, and as a result cool, dry air pushes along its axis to the southeast."
The winds out of the Fraser River can, at times, meet a cold moist system moving south out of the Gulf of Alaska. The result can be the mother of all snow events.
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