Anthony Edwards
@edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
6.7K followers 1.2K following 2.2K posts
Writing about West Coast weather as a Newsroom Meteorologist at the San Francisco Chronicle Snow lover, Seattle sports fan, University of Washington graduate sfchronicle.com/author/anthony-edwards/
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edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
Thats nearly impossible to do, as the author notes, which I referenced in my orginal post.

This article appeared to be a way into the large topic about missing weather balloon data, using a recent example of a deadly storm that occurred in remote area where those data are important.
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
“How big of a difference the missing balloon data made, though, may never be known. The best way to determine that would be to run computer models with weather balloon data fed into them and without it, in what is known as a data denial experiment — impossible to do without the data itself.”
Lack of weather data due to Trump’s budget cuts impacted forecast for deadly Alaska storm | CNN
The forecast for the powerful and deadly storm that battered small communities in western Alaska over the weekend was likely made worse by a lack of weather data triggered by the Trump administration’...
www.cnn.com
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
That’s not the purpose of the CNN article. NWS meteorologists themselves say the missing data may have impacted model performance. I don’t think as scientists we should settle for “good enough.” Soundings provide key data, especially in the day or two prior to storms in a remote area like Alaska.
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
I agree. The missing data undoubtedly impacted model simulations, though. Those are essential tools for meteorologists.
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
The extratropical transition was apparent for days, yes. I also noted this. The article argues the lack of weather balloon data in Alaska degraded the accuracy of model simulations of the storm’s landfall.
bsky.app/profile/edwa...
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
Energy from Typhoon Halong near Japan may amplify the jet steam (excite the storm track) across the Northern Pacific / western North America this weekend. Scientifically known as tropical cyclone recurvature & extratropical transition.
Maps: @aliciambentley.bsky.social
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
“How big of a difference the missing balloon data made, though, may never be known. The best way to determine that would be to run computer models with weather balloon data fed into them and without it, in what is known as a data denial experiment — impossible to do without the data itself.”
Lack of weather data due to Trump’s budget cuts impacted forecast for deadly Alaska storm | CNN
The forecast for the powerful and deadly storm that battered small communities in western Alaska over the weekend was likely made worse by a lack of weather data triggered by the Trump administration’...
www.cnn.com
Reposted by Anthony Edwards
cira-csu.bsky.social
Recently, an upper-level system moved through the Pacific Northwest, bringing with it an early season winter storm that dumped mountain snow across the Cascades.

This imagery from JPSS satellites compares the Cascades from a week ago to today.
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
Saw several videos on Facebook!
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
Anyone in the #Salinas (Monterey County) area seeing a funnel cloud? #CAwx
Reposted by Anthony Edwards
circle-and-square.bsky.social
Captured beautiful timelapse shots over the San Francisco Bay this morning: the pocket of unstable air embedded behind the main front of this storm set up the right conditions for some dramatic cloud development! #CAwx
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
CHP reporting all lanes of northbound Interstate 5 closed due to flooding in San Fernando Valley #CAwx
Reposted by Anthony Edwards
cira-csu.bsky.social
A low-pressure system moves down the West Coast, bringing stormy weather to California.
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
California tornadoes are rare in October. It’s the third-least common month for tornadoes in the state after June and July. There’s only been one October twister in the state in the past decade, coming on Oct. 8, 2022 in Lake Elsinore. #CAwx
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm WATCH for the Los Angeles area until 6am, including San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and LA counties for potential damaging wind and a low chance of tornadoes. It’s the first severe thunderstorm watch in the area since 2008. #CAwx
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
And now another Tornado Warning for South central San Luis Obispo County until 1215 AM PDT.
* Locations impacted include... San Luis Obispo... Pismo Beach... Arroyo Grande... Nipomo... Grover Beach... Guadalupe... Oceano... Avila Beach... Diablo Canyon... Shell Beach... and Baywood-Los Osos.
#CAwx
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
The National Weather Service in OXNARD has issued a

* Tornado Warning for... West central San Luis Obispo County in southwestern California...

* Until 1145 PM PDT.

* At 1115 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Morro Bay, moving northeast at 20 mph.
#CAwx
Reposted by Anthony Edwards
lordstrange.bsky.social
Yes it was raining super hard at our house in Oakland. Need evidence of this, 2 feet! bsky.app/profile/mtr....
mtr.weather.im
At 4:36 PM PDT, 3 SW Piedmont [Alameda Co, CA] Law Enforcement reports Flood. Roadway flooding. Approx. 2 feet of water on NB880 connector to WB980. CHP report. #cawx Link
IEMBot Image TBD
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
Not necessarily. The moisture must come from somewhere. Increased evaporative demand (drought) supplies the thirsty atmosphere. Inconclusive research regarding rainfall frequency (probably won’t change much) but when it rains it’ll be harder. Swing between drought/flood becoming more extreme.