Weather with Cliff Mass

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Atmospheric scientist Cliff Mass provides a weekly weather forecast for the Pacific Northwest, details current and future weather topics, and discusses related topics. Podcast is released every Friday at 7am. Support this podcast and ensure it remains ad-free on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/cliffmass

Cliff Mass


    • Aug 5, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 10m AVG DURATION
    • 142 EPISODES

    4.8 from 235 ratings Listeners of Weather with Cliff Mass that love the show mention: weather podcast, forecasts, pacific northwest, pnw, washington, blog, effects, science, details, education, dr, behind, understand, live, fantastic, glad, informative, thank, highly recommend, interesting.


    Ivy Insights

    The Weather with Cliff Mass podcast is a must-listen for anyone living in Washington state or with an interest in the weather. Hosted by Cliff Mass, a Meteorology professor at the University of Washington, this podcast offers a weekly forecast and in-depth discussions about weather phenomena that affect the Pacific Northwest. One of the best aspects of this podcast is Mass' ability to explain complex scientific concepts in easy-to-understand terms. As an avid outdoors enthusiast, I appreciate how he tailors the forecast to outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and skiing. This makes it incredibly helpful for planning weekend adventures. Additionally, Mass' chatty style and passion for his area of expertise make for an engaging listening experience.

    One potential drawback of The Weather with Cliff Mass podcast is its regional focus on the Pacific Northwest. While this is great for those living in Washington state or nearby areas, it may not be as relevant or interesting to listeners outside of this region. However, even if you don't live in the Pacific Northwest, you can still find value in the podcast through Mass' explanations of weather forecasting and meteorological phenomena.

    In conclusion, The Weather with Cliff Mass podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and staying informed about the weather in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. With his expertise as a meteorology professor and skill as a science communicator, Cliff Mass provides informative forecasts and educational discussions that are accessible to everyone. Whether you're an outdoor adventurer or simply curious about weather science, this podcast is worth your time.



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    Latest episodes from Weather with Cliff Mass

    Monsoon Moisture and Pacific Northwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 8:27


    There has been a lot of talk recently about monsoon moisture influencing the Northwest. You thought that monsoons only influence India? You will learn the truth in this podcast!

    Meteorological Summer Starts Next Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 6:17


    I will provide the forecast, which includes the start of meteorological summer!

    Rain without Clouds, the Upcoming Cooling, and Leeside Winds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 8:22


    The radar shows offshore rain, but it is not raining. This podcast explains why. I also give the forecast, with cooling and some showers possible. And I talk about strong winds on the eastern slopes of the Cascades..

    Showers, Warm Up, and Eastside Winds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2024 8:13


    My podcast will discuss the origins of our current cool/showery weather and tell you why such cool weather in the west produces strong winds over the eastern slopes of the Cascades.

    A Beautiful Saturday Before June Gloom Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2024 6:31


    It's a phrase that puts a shiver down the spine of all Northwesterners: June Gloom. And it's coming. But first we have a delightful Friday and a warm (but not too warm) Saturday. In this podcast, I describe the forecast and why we get June gloom every year.

    The Heavy Rain Event and the Potential for Thunderstorms

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 7:44


    My podcast will review the heavy rain event predicted for Sunday through Tuesday and then turn to a warm stretch expected from the middle to end of next week. But then is a surprise: the potential for thunderstorms next weekend in eastern Washington and Oregon, the Cascades, and maybe a few boomers drifting into western Wasington.

    Memorial Day Weekend Weather Plus Western Washington Wildfire

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2024 8:25


    In this podcast I talk about the weather forecast for this weekend and beyond, and then discuss the validity of predictions of increased chances of western Washington wildfires.

    The Latest Forecast Plus How Far into the Future Can We Forecast?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2024 11:24


    In this podcast, provide the weekend and weekly forecast and describe the cool/soggy pattern we are in. And in the second segment, I describe the limits on weather prediction technology: how far into the future can we forecast and why it has gotten so much better.

    Forecast and Aurora (Updated)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2024 5:52


    I provide the weekend forecast and talk about the major aurora expected tonight.

    Forecast and Aurora

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2024 4:40


    I will provide the latest weekend forecast and tell you about the major aurora that should be visible tonight

    My Views on Global Warming and Climate Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 16:28


    Several of you have asked me about my viewpoint on global warming and climate change. This podcast will outline my thoughts on this important subject and give you a bit of history and perspective.

    A Wet Weekend Ahead and Why the New York Smoke Had Little to Do With Climate Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 13:51


    This week the weather will be near normal and relatively dry, but that changes radically over the weekend, as a strong Pacific low center moves in and sticks around in our area. I will briefly describe this situation before turning to a detailed analysis of the major smoke event that hit the East Coast, including an explanation of why global warming was only a minor player.

    Where do you get the best weather forecasts? And a cool weak ahead.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 10:57


    This podcast answers the question: where can you get the best weather forecast? Your smartphone?, from the National Weather Service website?, from your local TV weathercasters? or what? The answer may surprise you. And I also talk about the cool weak ahead.

    Why is freezing at 32°F? And a snowy mountain forecast for this weekend.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 8:27


    This podcast answers an interesting question: why is freezing at 32°F? Why not 50 or 0? And I talk about a return of moisture to the Northwest, with heavy snow expected in the mountains.

    The end of La Nina and an El Nino Winter Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 7:42


    This podcast talks about the recent termination of a 3-year La Nina and the near certainty of El Nino conditions ahead. The weather implications of the change are discussed as well.

    Are cold waves increasing over the Northwest? And a transition to meteorological spring ahead.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 10:37


    Several blog readers have asked whether global warming is increasing West Coast cold waves. The answer is no, and in this podcast I explain why. Plus, I talk about an encouraging forecast for more normal conditions in our region.

    How long are weather forecasts skillful?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 9:19


    This podcast answers the question: how long are weather predictions skillful? The answer may surprise you....

    Wind, Cold, and Snow Ahead. Plus a Primer of Northwest Gaps

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 11:41


    This podcast tells the story of a cold, windy, snowy week ahead. And I provide the basics on the mountain gaps of the region and their influence on our weather.

    A Deep Dive into the Upcoming Snow Event over Western Washington and Oregon

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 8:33


    We are in the tail end of the lowland snow season west of the Cascade crest. But tomorrow and Tuesday some lowlands locations will see some snowflakes. This podcast does a deep dive into the event, explaining the complex meteorology that will occur over the next few days.

    Plenty of rain and mountain snow this week. Plus, the two types of Northwest precipitation.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 10:14


    A series of weather systems will come through this week. I will provide the details. Major enhancements in mountain snowpack are expected. And there is the potential for much colder weather in about a week. In the second half of the podcast I describe the two types of rain we get in our region and tell you why.

    Why Does High Pressure Produce Low Clouds in the Northwest?, Plus the Latest Forecast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 10:45


    Several folks have asked my why high pressure produces low clouds in our region....this podcast explains why. Plus, a chilly, but sunny forecast.

    Atmospheric Pressure, King Tides, and the Potential for Cold Air and Snow Next Weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 11:29


    In the second part of the podcast, I give you a primer on atmospheric pressure, with particular attention to the impact on water levels and the potential for King Tides. I also provide the forecast: not much action this week, but the potential for FAR colder air over the weekend. Yes, even that four-letter word, snow, for some locations.

    cold snow tides atmospheric pressure
    The Big Dry is Coming and The Truth about the Pacific Data Void

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2023 11:40


    After a few more days of showers, a big ridge will develop over the eastern Pacific, bring dry conditions and sun to the entire West Coast. After providing the forecast, I take on the claims of Pacific weather data voids and describe the ability of meteorologists to monitor the weather everywhere in three dimensions.

    The Origin and Prediction of Atmospheric Rivers. Plus, the Weather Forecast for the Week Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2023 13:26


    This week I will take on the topic of atmospheric rivers-- the weather features that are now inundating California. And I provide the latest forecast for the next week.....not very exciting for the Northwest but threatening for California.

    Where are the coldest and warmest areas of the Pacific Northwest during the winter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 7:17


    With not much weather action for the next five days in Washington and Oregon, I skip the forecast today and talk about the mildest and coldest places in the Northwest during winter. Have a good new year!

    The Story on Northwest Freezing Rain Events and a Major Shift in Our Weather

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2022 9:30


    This podcast describes the nature of Northwest freezing rain events and describes the major shift to warm/wet weather this week.

    Cold, High Pressure, and the Potential for Lowland Snow

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 11:09


    This podcast will talk about cold and very high pressure moving south out of Canada. Will record high pressure be observed in our region? And a detailed forecast for the cold and snow of the upcoming week.

    Why Don't Clouds Fall Out of the Sky? And a Cool, Dry Pattern After This Weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2022 9:37


    Clouds way millions of pounds but stay in the sky. I explain why. And I provide an interesting forecast for a wet start to the weekend, followed by very dry conditions.

    Why is the air so dry? And the latest snow forecast for this weekend.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 10:14


    Why is the air so dry inside these days? I will explain why. And I will give an updated forecast regarding the potential for snow over our region.

    The Thanksgiving Forecast and the Winter Weather of the Columbia Basin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 8:04


    This podcast starts with the forecast for the next week, with a very favorable forecast for Thanksgiving Day. I then turn to talk about the winter weather of the Columbia Basin, describing the "cold pool" that develops in its lower elevations, bringing low clouds and icy conditions.

    An Unusually Dry Period Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 6:00


    La Nina conditions, with high pressure along the coast, will bring dry conditions to the Northwest for 7-9 days.

    The Wet/Cold Forecast Ahead and the Local Challenges of Northwest Snow Prediction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 13:35


    I start with the forecast, with everything from heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, and then describe the challenges of predicting snow in our region.

    A cool and potentially snowy period ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2022 5:42


    My podcast talks about some active weather ahead, with cooler than normal temperatures this week...and the potential for a major snow-producer in the mountains starting next Sunday! Even the lowlands might see some flakes!

    Was Global Warming Behind the Recent Smoky Period in Western Washington?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 12:08


    Will global warming increase the chances of westside wildfires in the Northwest? Was climate change behind the recent fires and smoke west of the Cascade crest? I provide the answer in this podcast.

    How far in time can we forecast the weather? And a view of the big weather change ahead.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 11:29


    When will the autumn rain return to the Northwest? I will tell you in this podcast. And I will take on the related issue: how far in time can meteorologists predict the weather? How has that changed over the past decades?

    No Rain in Sight and Autumn Fog

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 8:39


    Amazingly, the latest forecast models indicate no rain for the next 10 days. I will tell you the story about that. And in the second half of the podcast, will tell you why we are in the middle of fog season and why smoke can enhance fog formation.

    How Have Hurricane Forecasts Changed? And a Warm. Dry Weekend Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 11:23


    Hurricane Ian is in the news and this podcast describes how hurricane forecast skill has changed over the year and why. And I also provide an amazingly warm, dry forecast for the new week.

    The Perfect SmokeStorm and A Perfect Weekend Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2022 11:08


    How could a small, dying fire in the Cascades result in some of the worst air pollution in recent Seattle history. I will explain how. And also provide you with a very promising forecast for the weekend.

    The History of Wildfires over the Northwest and A Dry, Temperate and Snow-Free Week Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2022 12:09


    My podcast will start with a very favorable weather forecast for our region--perfect temperatures, little smoke, and no rain. The bulk of the podcast will discuss the history of wildfires over the region, noting that summer smoke is our normal condition.

    Smoke Forecast Over Western Washington, Wildfire Threats, and the 3D Nature of Northwest Smoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2022 10:51


    This podcast takes on Northwest smoke. I explain how it is highly three-dimensional and why smoke can be visible aloft but never make it to the surface. I also give you the latest forecast, with warm/smoky conditions on Saturday followed by substantial improvement and cooling on Sunday.

    No More Heatwaves, Smoke in eastern Washington, and Meteorological Fall is Here!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 10:53


    The signs are everything that meteorological fall is here in the Northwest and in the second segment I will tell you about them. In the forecast segment, I will talk about the upcoming cooldown, the end of heatwaves for the year, and describe the smoke plume moving into eastern Washington.

    Northwest microclimates and a very pleasant weekend ahead.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 11:11


    Tired of warm temperatures? This weekend will be the one for you with highs in the 70s in the west and 80s east of the Cascade crest. But one last heat event is ahead. In this podcast, I will not only provide the forecast, but tell you about local microclimates and what causes them.

    What controls Northwest humidity and a pleasant weekend ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 10:51


    We have experienced unusual humidity during the past week. Why? I will describe what controls the "stickiness" of the air in our region. But before I do that I will review the forecast, which is quite favorable for this weekend, followed by another warm spell on Wednesday and Thursday.

    A Below-Normal Wildfire Season, But the Big Wildfire Period is Ahead. Plus, the Forecast

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 11:19


    This has been a below-normal wildfire season over the western U.S., but we should not get complacent! Historically, the most dangerous wildifre period is about to start, ironically because of cooling temperatures. I will explain the meteorology of the prime, late-summer wildfire period. And I will start the podcast with a very pleasant summer forecast for the west, but one with toasty temperatures mid-week in the east.

    Weather Signs in the Sky and the Roller Coaster Forecast for the Next Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2022 12:06


    Weather forecast models are great, but there are potent weather signs in the sky that provide advanced notice of weather changes. I will talk about a few local weather signs here in the Northwest. And I also discuss the latest forecast, with warming ahead followed by a cooling crash on Wednesday. The Northwest weather roller coaster continues!

    Did Global Warming Create this Heat Wave? And the End of the Heat in Sight.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2022 14:23


    This podcast explains an apparent contradiction: the region is slowly warming yet extreme heat waves are not increasing over time. It is an interesting story not covered in the media. And I also provide the latest forecast, with the heat wave continuing over the weekend and ending abruptly with a major cool down on Monday.

    Potential For a Good Auroral Show Tonight and the Upcoming Heat Wave

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2022 10:03


    A storm on the Sun's surface should result in a major aurora event tonight that could well be visible in the Northwest. My podcast provides the details. And I also talk about a major warm up this week, that should bring temperatures in the low-90s in the west and over 100F in the Columbia Basin.

    Why is late July so dry in the Pacific Northwest? And a mixed forecast for this weekend.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2022 10:13


    We are just about to enter the climatologically driest time of the year in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, we are one of the driest locations in the country in late July. But why? The reasons are discussed in my podcast. And I will also review the weekend forecast, which will be a bit cooler and cloudier than normal. The cause? That pesky low pressure near our coast.

    Why was it so humid this week? And the dry, warm weather ahead.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2022 10:23


    People were complaining about humidity this week. I tell you why our humidity is generally low in the Northwest and why it got sticky this week. I also give the forecast for the upcoming week, which includes a mini-heat wave and no rain.

    The July 4th Forecast and The Secret Sauce for Northwest Thunderstorms

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2022 10:48


    This weekend will be one of extremes...from warm to rain...and I provide a detailed forecast. Some locations will get thunderstorms. In my second segment, I explain why thunderstorms are infrequent in our region and the secret sauce needed to bring boomers to our region.

    Weekend Warmth and the Secrets of Northwest Heatwaves.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2022 12:41


    This podcast describes the warm weather ahead and tell you about the inner workings of Northwest heatwaves.

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