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Winter Preview: What Can We Expect?

As many of our readers are likely well aware, there is a high likelihood (between 60 and 65% chance) of a weak El Niño developing during the fall and winter. Sea-surface temperature anomalies are above normal throughout the equatorial Pacific Ocean at the time of this writing (more information in the Climate Outlook below), but the predicted El Niño has been slow to start. 

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Growing Hops in Washington State

Due to the passage of I-502 by Washington state voters in November 2012, legal agricultural production has commenced for a notorious member of the family Cannabacaeae. This highlight is about another member of this family that WA state is known for and that is hops (Humulus lupulus). 

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The Precipitation Winners and Losers in Major League Baseball

Seattle’s rainy reputation is difficult to combat, especially among those that have never lived in the Pacific Northwest. The dry Washington summers are often overlooked. In that context, OWSC was pleased to have recently heard a “rumor” that during the regular baseball season, Seattle is one of the driest cities of those that have a Major League Baseball team. 

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Extreme Precipitation Events in Washington State

There has been a slight upward trend in mean precipitation for Washington state over the last century or so, but this change is marginal from the standpoint of statistical significance.  Readers are encouraged to explore this for themselves using an application on the OWSC website: www.climate.washington.edu/trendanalysis. 

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A Review of Winter 2013-2014

The predictions for the winter of 2013-14 included little consensus among the seasonal forecast models in August and September, but were hinting at dry winter conditions by October 2013. However, neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions were projected for the upcoming winter, resulting in a lack of a strong statistical signal toward below or above average temperature or precipitation anomalies for the winter as a whole. 

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