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A bit about that Heat Dome and how it relates to the Pacific Ocean
Jun 29, 2021What’s wth this “heat dome” situation we’ve been experiencing in the Pacific Northwest, in areas that are normally cool? We’ll talk today about what causes a heat dome to occur. Part of it has to do with ocean temperatures in the Pacific.
Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Cargo delays make early Christmas shopping a good bet
Jun 28, 2021More on worldwide disruptions in container shipping. The result could be that things will get temporarily scarce in coming months, making early Christmas shopping a good idea.
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Another cruise ship will be stored in Astoria
Jun 22, 2021The Port of Astoria has made arrangements to store another ocean-going cruise ship at the port docks. She’s a U.S flag cruise ships called the “American Pride” and she is normally based in Hawaii where she takes passengers between island ports there.
Image of the American Pride, courtesy James Brennan from Molokai Hawaii, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Today marks the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere
Jun 21, 2021Today is one of two annual astronomical solstice events. This one we call the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
We’ll talk about what’s happening out there in space that so deeply affects us here on Earth.
This image courtesy of photographer Andrew Dunn, www.andrewdunnphoto.com and Wikimedia Commons.
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Steep rises in shipping costs mean higher prices for consumers
Jun 14, 2021As the effects of the pandemic continue in global shipping, we’re seeing prices rise sharply on container goods. The result could be higher prices on familiar goods, like coffee, toys and furniture. Some goods like anchovies and olives, could be hard to come by in some places.
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A look at clouds, the harbingers of weather
Jun 03, 2021Today, a look at the three most common types of clouds we see: cirrus, stratus and cumulus. Each one can tell us something about what’s next in the weather.
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The cruise ship Pride of America is in Astoria today: here’s why
Jun 02, 2021Yesterday a huge (927-foot-long) cruise ship sailed into the Columbia River and docked at the Port of Astoria. Since cruises don’t restart until July in the U.S., what is she doing here? Turns out she’s only here for a short stop, then on to Portland for maintenance before the season begins. But this is not your ordinary cruise ship…
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Rip current claims a life on the Long Beach Peninsula
Jun 01, 2021This holiday weekend, with its gorgeous weather, drew many visitors to Pacific Northwest beaches. For one family, the weekend ended in tragedy, as a 14 year old boy was swept out to sea off Long Beach, Washington. Another life claimed by the ocean, because someone did not understand what they were up against here, despite posted warning signs, and numerous deaths annually.
The bottom line here is this: Pacific Northwest waters are not a pool, not a lake, not a placid beach in Hawaii or Florida where the water is like a bathtub and the waves are gentle. It’s cold, there are merciless currents and your chances of dying are high.
For the average visitor, these waters are not safe to swim in. But clearly, the message is not getting out to people.
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Water safety tips for Memorial Day Weekend
May 28, 2021Nice weather, a holiday weekend, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. As I do every year, here are a few tips to help keep you and yours safe as you enjoy our deceptively dangerous maritime environment here the PNW.
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Longview’s Millenium Bulk Terminals project seems DOA
May 27, 2021The Millenium Bulk Terminals project which would have shipped coal from Longview Washington to Asia, seems finally dead in the water for good. An attempt to take the case before the U.S. Supreme Court seems unlikely to get a hearing, because the project has gone bankrupt. It’s one in a serious of controversial fossil fuel projects that have failed on the Columbia, because of intense local citizen and government opposition.
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