Scene in Edmonds: Convergence zone

Posted: April 14, 2015 1873
This Tuesday afternoon panorama from Sunset Avenue shows the famous Puget Sound convergence zone effect. When moist Pacific air masses pushed onto our coast by the prevailing westerly winds hit the Olympic Mountains, they split in two, one half going north, the other south. The northern air mass then continues east through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and turns south as it enters the Puget Sound basin. Meanwhile the southern air mass moves east through the lowlands south of the Olympics, turning north as it enters the Puget Sound basin. The two air masses are now on a collision course, and typically "converge" somewhere between Arlington and Edmonds, producing localized wind, rain and thunderstorms. Note sunny skies to the north and south of the grey, stormy convergence.
This Tuesday afternoon panorama from Sunset Avenue shows the famous Puget Sound convergence zone effect. When moist Pacific air masses pushed onto our coast by the prevailing westerly winds hit the Olympic Mountains, they split in two, one half going north, the other south. The northern air mass then continues east through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and turns south as it enters the Puget Sound basin. Meanwhile the southern air mass moves east through the lowlands south of the Olympics, turning north as it enters the Puget Sound basin. The two air masses are now on a collision course, and typically “converge” somewhere between Arlington and Edmonds, producing localized wind, rain and thunderstorms. Note sunny skies to the north and south of the grey, stormy convergence. (Photo by Larry Vogel)
These diagrams provide further explanation on how the convergence zone works.
These diagrams provide further explanation on how the convergence zone works.

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  2. I lived here several years before I learned what being in a convergence zone really meant – wish I had this illustrative explanation then! Photo really brings it to life.

    Reply

  3. What a great picture of the convergence zone. In that time period I heard someone say they had experienced hail in Lynnwood.
    I wonder if it was connected to the convergence zone.

    Reply

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