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What is The Convergence Zone?

The Convergence Zone is, for me, a place where things come together. Where I put down thoughts and jottings as I like for whoever may be interested, relating to living here where we are in the middle of the Puget Sound Convergence Zone.

As a weather feature of the Puget Sound region, this zone is remarkable as a place where weather systems collide and create storm conditions: Heavy rain, storm, wind, hail, snow, thunder, lightening, and so on. The following is adaped from the KOMO TV explanation:

The Puget Sound Convergence Zone occurs when there is a northwest flow in the upper atmosphere, and unstable air. Frequently following a storm system, northwest winds blow stronger and can collide with the Olympic Mountains. Part of the air flow is then deflected east down the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward Puget Sound, while the other part is deflected down the western side of the Olympic mountains.

When the northern air flow reaches the Cascade Mountains, it is forced to the south. Meanwhile, when the southern air flow reaches the Cascades past the southern side of the Olympics, it will then turn to the north. Eventually, the south-flowing air and the north-flowing air converge. When that happens, the air has nowhere to go but up. Rising air leads to convection, which leads to cloud and storm development.

The typical location of the Convergence Zone is an east-west line extending over south Snohomish County, just a little north of the county line. Bothell, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Everett are the prime spots, but the zone can move north or south depending on the strength of each air flow.

So basically we get a lot of rain, wind, cold air, blustery days, and strange occurances like snow last April, snow this March, hail the size of marbles (rare) and some wild thunder and lightening events. Power outages too, sometimes.

Read the whole story at:
http://www.komotv.com/weather/faq/4306427.html


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