What is offshore flow?

Story Published: Oct 4, 2006 at 1:47 PM PDT

Story Updated: Oct 7, 2006 at 10:18 AM PDT

By Scott Sistek

Offshore slow is when we get winds blowing from the north and east back out to sea. That occurs when we have higher pressure east of the Puget Sound area, and lower pressure offshore.

That air from the east is already dry, but as air comes down the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, it will compress and get warmer.

This is what leads to our hot, yet dry days around the area.

Thermal Troughs do a great job of inducing offshore flow in the summertime.

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North Cascades Highway (S.R. 20) is closed due to high avalanche danger through the weekend. Crews will return on Monday to assess road conditions. The state DOT advises drivers to check mountain pass conditions for all passes before leaving this weekend.

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