Randy Mann.
June 15, 2020
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A rare dazzling light show for the Inland Northwest
Over the weekend, residents of the Inland Northwest were treated to a dazzling display of lights.
The miracle of water
April was a drier-than-normal month across the Inland Northwest. At Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene, only 0.39 inches of moisture fell, compared to the normal of 1.77 inches.
The 2024 tornado season is a little different
The 2024 tornado season has been relatively active, but not in the typical locations in the early spring season. According to an article from The Weather Channel, most of the tornadoes have been seen across the U.S., rather than the southern states.
El Niño is gone and another La Niña may form
El Niño was declared officially over by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) last week, one of the main forecasters who monitor sea-surface temperatures.
Forecast calls for 20-year celebration
Press meteorologist begins third decade with newspaper
Can AI help predict earthquakes?
Last Wednesday, a very strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the popular tourist city of Hualien, located on the eastern shore of Taiwan. The event triggered large landslides and hundreds of aftershocks, many of which were over 6.0 in magnitude. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years.
Thunderstorm season is upon us
April has arrived, and we’ve already had one thunderstorm in the Coeur d’Alene area, which occurred March 27. Although we do get our share of thunder, lightning, hail and even a rare tornado, the severity of these storms does not compare to the ones seen east of the Rockies, especially in the Great Plains and the Midwest’s "Tornado Alley."
A superbloom expected in California's deserts
Last week certainly felt like spring across the Inland Northwest. March 17 was the warmest St. Patrick’s Day in recorded history in Coeur d’Alene with a high of 71 degrees. The old record was 70 degrees set back in 1972.
The spring equinox is here
On Tuesday, March 19, at 8:06 p.m. PST, spring will officially arrive across the North American continent. The date is also known as the spring equinox, and this occurs at the exact same moment across the globe.
Earthquakes in the Midwest with threats in the Northwest
Recently, residents in the Midwest have been concerned about the recent increase in earthquake activity in southern Illinois. Since the middle of November of 2023, there have been three earthquakes measuring from a 2.5 magnitude in early March of this year, to 3.6 magnitude last November.
A history of daylight saving time
On Sunday, March 10, most U.S. and European residents will once again move their clocks forward one hour. Daylight saving time is the cycle that starts in the second week of March and ends in the first week of November.
The 2024 tropical storm and hurricane season could be another active one
The official start of the tropical storm and hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean waters is a little more than 3 months away. With the strong El Niño starting to weaken along the equatorial regions, many forecasters that specialize in sea-surface temperatures are indicating the increasing chances of another active season.
Is the California drought over?
The California rainfall season begins July 1 and ends the following June 30. Most other stations, including Coeur d’Alene, begin their moisture season Jan. 1.
El Niño's effects are here, but they may not last
The 2023-24 snowfall season has not been one to remember in North Idaho and other parts of the U.S.
The strong El Niño may have already peaked
As of late January, ocean waters along the equatorial regions are still very warm and forecasters who carefully watch the trends of ocean warming and cooling have indicated that still have a strong El Niño in the south-central Pacific Ocean.
Some spectacular celestial events in 2024
This year will offer U.S. skywatchers a variety of dazzling celestial events from meteor showers, a comet fly-by and the long-anticipated solar eclipse across parts of the U.S.
History of Coeur d'Alene cold waves
Conditions this month have been some of the coldest and iciest across North Idaho in recent memory.
Very frigid weather for the start of 2024
Late last week, we had some of the coldest weather across the country we’ve felt and heard about in a long time as hundreds of cold records were broken. Over the weekend, morning low temperatures in central Montana near the Canadian border were more than 20 degrees below zero. Frigid weather was reported across the central U.S. and into the Northeast.
It's been a wild start to 2024
We’re barely a week into 2024 and some parts of the world have experienced Mother Nature’s wrath.
Our planet's orbit now has us closest to the sun
We’re now into 2024 and it’s almost hard to believe that another year has passed. My parents always told me that when you get older, time passes more quickly. They weren’t kidding.
More weather extremes in 2023
Thanks, at least in part, to the warm water phenomenon, El Niño, many residents across the U.S. were disappointed with the lack of snow on Christmas Day.
Our planet has been affected by solar storms
Earlier this year, I wrote an article stating that our sun was in the middle of a stronger “maxima” cycle. During these events, there are increased number of sunspots, or solar storms, on the sun.
Tree rings give insights to past climates and earthquakes
Tree ring data has become very important in determining a region’s past climate. Trees are sensitive to the area’s local climate and each year, the tree will grow rings, which also provides an age for the tree.
Will we see another year with below-zero temperatures?
December is here and we’ve finally received some snow after a relatively normal average temperature in November.
Some volcanoes are making news this month
There are many volcanoes that are erupting and some of them are making headlines across the world. For example, Iceland’s volcanic activity is currently threatening one of its popular resorts.
The holidays are getting closer, so be on the lookout for those watches and warnings
November has certainly shaped up as a different one weatherwise when compared to October. Last month, it was very dry as only 0.26 inches of rain fell in Coeur d’Alene, compared to the normal of 2.22 inches.
The ozone layer has been holding up
The weather pattern certainly changed in early November as we had more rain in the first two days of the month than all of October. At Cliff’s station, only 0.26 inches of rain fell last month in Coeur d’Alene, compared to a normal of 2.22 inches.
Halloween and more winter forecasts
Winter conditions arrived last week across the Inland Northwest as many locations received their first measurable snowfall for the season. At Cliff’s station, 0.2 inches of snow fell last Wednesday.
Our city-by-city winter of 2023-24 snowfall predictions
Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.
The rest of October and Halloween outlook
The early portion of October produced some very warm weather across the Inland Northwest before showers and cooler temperatures arrived early last week.
First freeze and potential winter ice
This is the time of year when local gardeners will have to start monitoring the weather more closely as our region will eventually be heading toward freezing temperatures.
We're in a strong solar cycle
Sunspots are storms on the Sun and during the height of a cycle, its magnetic poles will usually flip as the North Pole becomes the South Pole and vice-versa.
More weather extremes and El Niño
It’s been a very dry September across the Inland Northwest.
The fall foliage may be sooner this year
We’re into the early stages of the fall season and the beauty of the Inland Northwest is being enhanced by the annual “fall foliage.”
It's another active tropical storm and hurricane season
We’ve reached the peak of the tropical storm and hurricane season and it’s already going to be another memorable year.
Will the upcoming fall turn wet?
September is here and so was a change in our weather pattern. Much-needed rain returned to the region last week as we entered the “full moon” lunar phase.
El Niño seems to be getting stronger
Sea-surface temperatures along the equatorial regions are still climbing and U.S. forecasters who carefully watch the trends of ocean warming and cooling have indicated that we have a moderate El Niño in the south-central Pacific Ocean.
Fires and hurricanes in the West
Despite the lowest number of total burned acres in the U.S. to date in more than 10 years, three major wildfires broke out that sent air pollution levels into the “hazardous” category in the Spokane vicinity. In the Coeur d’Alene region, “very unhealthy” readings were reported Saturday afternoon that got worse Saturday night and early Sunday.
More disastrous wildfires in other parts of the world
It’s another season with disastrous wildfires. The latest one occurred in Maui, one of Hawaii’s elite islands that is a popular tourist destination.
August moons and meteors
There has been much discussion about the moon for August as the celestial events for this month are rare.
Asteroids and heat
It’s been a very warm and dry July across the Inland Northwest. The average high for this month is around 89 degrees.
It's been hot, but ground temperatures can be much hotter
The unrelenting heat across the southern U.S. and other parts of the world continues to break records.
Heat, other extreme records continue to fall
Last week, I wrote about the extreme heat that has been reported across the globe.
All-time record heat for many locations in June
The astronomical summer season has barely begun, and we’ve already had record amounts of heat across parts of the globe.
Types of thunderstorms and thunder
The first half of June was warmer than normal in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Northwest. The average temperature was around 80 degrees, compared to the average of 73 degrees during the first 15 days of the month.
Summer arrives in just a few days
The first day of summer arrives Wednesday at 7:58 a.m. On that day, the sun angle is the highest in the sky and the Northern Hemisphere will experience the highest number of daylight hours.
The 2023 wildfire season is already having a major impact
Out-of-control wildfires in Canada’s eastern province of Quebec sent huge clouds of smoke and haze southward into the northeastern U.S., parts of the Midwest and regions as far south as the Mid-Atlantic states.
Tornadoes in Canada
In early April, I wrote about the number of tornadoes that were seen across the country. For 2023, there have been 790 preliminary sightings of twisters, with 624 confirmed.
The tropical storm and hurricane season may be close to normal
We’re getting close to the official start of the 2023 tropical storm and hurricane seasons that begins June 1.
Does a wet spring mean a dry summer?
We had our first good taste of summer last week as high temperatures climbed into the 80s in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions Thursday and Friday.
Our pollen seasons may be getting longer
We’re in the middle of allergy season and it’s often a tough time for those who suffer from hay fever. Some people are affected more than others at various times of the year.
Ocean waters are warming
Until recently, our planet’s weather patterns have been influenced by a three-yearlong La Niña event in the waters of the south-central Pacific Ocean.
Thunderstorm season is here
Conditions felt more like summer over the weekend as high temperatures across North Idaho and eastern Washington climbed into the 80s for the first time this year. The last time an 80-degree temperature was recorded in Coeur d’Alene was Oct. 6, 2022, with a high of 80 degrees.
The use and mysteries of water
We all know that water is essential to life on our planet and approximately 71% of the Earth is covered with this liquid. It’s estimated that there are around 326 million trillion gallons of water that on Earth.
Interesting wind facts
Late last week, a powerful cyclone made landfall in a remote part of Western Australia. The major storm, Ilsa, had winds of 135.5 miles per hour that were recorded on Bedout Island, which is off the coastline of Western Australia.
A history of Easter weather
Another storm brought more moisture to the Inland Northwest early this week. Additional systems are expected to bring more wet weather to the region through the middle of the week.
The 2023 tornado season is ramping up
The 2023 tornado season is starting out to be an active one, especially in the southern U.S. Just over a week ago, March 24-27, there were 30 twisters, including one EF4, that resulted in catastrophic damage in Rolling Fork and Silver City, Miss.
Will clocks move back in November?
Last Sunday, March 12, we turned our clocks forward once again. Practically every person I talked to since we moved our clocks forward one hour strongly suggests that we leave the time where it is on a permanent basis.
Record snows in the West
It was certainly a tale of two winters across the Inland Northwest.
Our sun is becoming more active
Last year, I wrote an article stating that our sun was waking up from its minimum cycle.
The latest with earthquakes
Many of have heard about the disastrous and monster earthquake that struck the border of Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6. The magnitude was a 7.8 and resulted in nearly 50,000 deaths.
Snow is coming to North Idaho, and California is still battling drought conditions
Conditions across the Inland Northwest will be returning to more winterlike this week. Since the beginning of the year, less than 8 inches of snow has fallen at Cliff’s station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene.
Could we see a repeat of last season's snowfall trend?
On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil, the infamous groundhog, saw his shadow. According to folklore, this means six more weeks of winter.
AI to help improve weather forecasting
In recent decades, there have been a lot of progress with weather forecasting based on numerical predictions.
The spinning of Earth's core may be slowing
Our second winter season arrived with much colder temperatures and windy conditions.
Record cold and the ozone layer
We may see the “tale of two winters” before the snow season ends later this year.
Moisture still going to the south of North Idaho
What a difference a month makes across the Inland Northwest.
Wild weather in California
The wild weather experienced across many parts of the country in December has continued into January.
Holiday storms and extremes
Last week’s massive Arctic outbreak is now being called a “100-Year,” or “once-in-a-generation” event.
Unusual Christmas weather
Based on climatological records since 1895, many locations in Coeur d’Alene and other regions in North Idaho have seen at least a trace of snow on the ground on Dec. 25 over 50% of the time.
Molten motions
A series of volcanic eruptions have made headlines in 2022. According to Volcano Discovery, there are currently 27 volcanoes that are erupting around the world.
A November to remember
It was a “November to remember” in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Northwest.
Our chances for a White Christmas in North Idaho for 2022
It has certainly been a very cold November across the Inland Northwest.
Thanksgiving Day weather history
The weather since Nov. 7 has felt more like January.
More frigid weather coming to the northwest
Since Nov. 7, Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Empire has been in the grips of one of the most intense early November cold waves in recorded history.
More billion dollar disasters in 2022
Coeur d’Alene received its first snowfall of the 2022-23 season.
Major Halloween weather events
The last part of October is certainly much different than the first 20 days of the month.
Our city-by-city winter of 2022-23 snowfall predictions
Every year in mid-autumn, Cliff and I issue our annual city-by-city snowfall predictions for North Idaho and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.
La Niña is strengthening in the Pacific waters
It’s been one of the warmest and driest starts to October in recorded history across the Inland Northwest. There were four days in-a-row with high temperatures at or above 80 degrees at Cliff’s station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene. We came close to tying a record last week as the high was 80 degrees on October 5, only 2 degrees below the record for the date.
Strongest and deadliest hurricanes
Last week, Hurricane Ian moved through southwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 150 miles per hour.
Could we see freezing temperatures within weeks?
Our summer season has come to a close, and it’s been reported that it was one of the hottest ones in history.
The celebration of the equinox
After a very hot August and early September, conditions across the Inland Northwest have finally felt more like fall over the past week.
Early September has been a hot one in California, Idaho
In most years, when we arrive in September, temperatures become noticeably cooler across much of the West.
It was a record hot August
August was a hot and relatively dry month in the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane area.
Tropical storms and hurricanes may be increasing very soon
More hot weather is expected across the Inland Northwest, especially around the middle of the week, as we’ll like have more 90-degree plus temperatures.
Drought in the Northwest and other parts of the world
The summer of 2022 has certainly turned into another hot and dry one across the Inland Northwest.
It's now a below-normal season for tropical storms and tornadoes
We’ve seen extreme weather patterns in the spring with practically a complete flip to the other extreme in recent months.
Earth just recently had its shortest day in modern history
Since 2020, our planet has been recording a series of speed records as it recently had its shortest day in modern history.
California reservoirs continue to struggle
The southwestern portion of the country has been suffering from a 22-year drought.
There's another active supervolcano that is being watched
Here in the Inland Northwest, when we think of a supervolcano, the most famous one that comes to mind is Yellowstone.
A look at weather's history
The science of weather forecasting has certainly come a long way, especially within the last 20 years.
Record heat has been all around us
Weather or not for July 4.
Is La Nina officially over?
After the coolest spring season on record in Coeur d’Alene and other parts of the Inland Northwest, we finally had our first 80-degree day as the mercury hit 81 degrees on June 22.
It’s been chilly here, but very hot in other parts of the U.S.
Weather or not for June 20.
Could the Hunga volcanic eruption have influenced our weather pattern?
Weather or not for June 13.
Lightning is not just confined to Earth
According to Cliff’s records, the spring season in Coeur d’Alene has been the coolest on record.
The driest and wettest places across the globe
It seems like every week, there’s something to report about all of the extremes going on in the U.S. and around the world.
Tornadoes show tempest in Northwest teapot
Cold and rain expected locally through May.
Hurricane season looks like another doozy
Locally, unsettled weather for rest of May
La Nina lingers — and what that portends
Locally, hot summer likely on tap
Thunderstorms can spark asthma attacks
Local weather forecast: More rain, storms ahead
What to do during a thunderstorm
.Weather or not for April 11
Thunderstorms looming, booming on horizon
Forecasters predict slight uptick in storms this spring.
It looks like a wet spring and a dry summer
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The story behind spring
Outlook for last gasps of snow fading away.
You want extremes? You got 'em
From high snow to no snow, abnormal is normal in N. Idaho.
Fire forecast looks ferocious
West at high risk of intense fires.
Early spring? Wish may be granted
But some snow still expected late February, early March.
Snow slow on the go, but wild weather elsewhere
Since early January, snowfall in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions has been relatively scarce.
Your weather word for today: Snownado
Rare event seen recently in Greece.
You wanted snow, and you got it
More cold and snow headed to N. Idaho for Christmas
Conditions ripen for October snow
New La Nina knockin' on the door.
Frost on September pumpkins a possibility
Forecasters think November could be a wet one.
More heat in store; drought pattern holds firm grip
There is some chance of rain on Tuesday.
Summertime, summertime — what it means meteorologically
The Weather Mann shares some weather wisdom.
More visits planned to Earth's 'evil twin'
Local weather forecast still looks dangerously dry.
Record high temp could be tested Wednesday
Hot and dry? You want it, you got it.
It may be another disastrous year for wildfires in the west
Despite a little moisture over the weekend, it’s been one of the driest first 10 days in recorded history in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the Inland Empire.
Could 10.0 quake be brewing?
Artificial Intelligence new tool in anticipating earthquakes.
Already bad drought could get worse
Could lead to dire forest fire season.
Make sure you keep your skin protected
Here comes your weather info.
The Arctic has seen an increase in lightning
It may be a month with near to below normal precipitation totals across North Idaho and the rest of the Inland Empire.
How wet we've been; how dry we are
teaser for column
Hints of drought in North Idaho
Trend of drier summers looks like it might hold up again in 2021.
Volcano system wasn't asleep after all
Locally, dry before rain and possibly snow.
Nothing's normal — not even the weather
In rarity, Spokane has outflaked Cd'A through some seasonal snows.
Polar vortex could bring us more snow
After record snowless period, we could see more white stuff in the weeks ahead.
Here's why wind makes it feel so much colder
Forecast a little less cold, a little more snow.
See what sun has to say about our weather
Snow and cold finally headed this way.
An unfrosty first: Jan. 1-23 sets snowless record
What a wacky winter we're having.
We got moisture but not the snow
After a dry first 8 days of December, the storm door opened up to bring above normal moisture to most of the Inland Northwest. However, many of the air masses have been too warm for snow in the lower elevations, especially in early January.
2020 yet another year of weather extremes
It was yet another year of weather extremes.
White Christmas? You got it!
Dreams answered.
Dreaming of weird Christmas weather
Actually, a little more like spring.
Ma Nature turning on the moisture
The weather pattern here in the Inland Northwest is changing to the wetter side as the storm door has finally opened up. Our first snow of December arrived on Friday with more expected over at least the next six weeks. Cliff and I see a good chance of at least moderate snows in the region around the Christmas holiday, so the odds of a white Christmas here in North Idaho are looking good.
Heed these winter weather advisories
Just stick around awhile. Snow will be here soon.
Jupiter, Saturn coming together (sort of)
All you need to know about North Idaho weather.
Chance of white Christmas — 70%
If you're dreaming of a white Christmas...
Snowfall could hit local Top 10 list
It's gonna snow, all right.
Climate disasters breaking records
Weather disasters costing fortunes.
City-by-city snowfall predictions
Randy, Cliff look into 2020-21 snowy crystal ball
Like Friday's snow, records could fall.
More moisture lurking 'round the corner
More bad weather this way comes.
Two-week forecasts and a little moon mania
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Air quality was (cough) horrific
The air quality was pathetic here last week.
Wildfires, hurricanes — and a new La Nina
Randy predicts snow this winter
Is a new megadrought brewing in the West?
the weathermann nails this forecast
CDA summer fourth driest since 1895
Expect a mighty wet autumn
Expect a really wet fall
Fire, tornadoes and record heat
The blast furnace was going strong last week across much of the Far West. Last Monday, Aug. 17, Cliff recorded a high of 100 degrees at his station in northwestern Coeur d’Alene. Spokane also hit 100 degrees on that date, but the airport also hit 100 degrees on Sunday, Aug. 16. Most stations across North Idaho were in the upper 90s last Monday.
Wild weather rocked the planet
We’ve had some interesting and unusual weather events across the globe over the last week. There have been floods, wild thunderstorms and a derecho. Here in North Idaho, it’s been extremely dry since early July, but we’ve also been in a temperature pattern from summer to fall-like, and then back to summer again this week.
A month without moisture in the Inland Northwest
After 30 days of rainless weather in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions, we finally received some measurable moisture last Thursday. However, amounts were very light as Cliff measured just .04 inches at his station. Spokane only measured .02 inches with Hayden and Post Falls picking up .05 inches. Prior to the dry spell, the last time we had any measurable rainfall was on July 7 as .32 inches fell on that day. Also, during the 30 days without rain, we were drier than parts of the Sahara Desert.
Hurricane forecast: More big storms
The Atlantic and Caribbean tropical storm and hurricane season is off to a fast start for the 2020 season. As of late last week, there were eight named storms. The normal, based on a 30-year average, is 12 named storms for each season.
Scorchers aplenty headed this way
Coeur d’Alene finally reported 90-degree temperatures last week as we’re now in a period of extended warmth and dryness. The warmest temperature so far this summer has been 93 degrees, which occurred last Tuesday. It’s going to be hot through Friday as temperatures will be well into the 90s in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding areas. A few locations may even challenge the 100-degree mark this week.
The summer heat dome
The weather will certainly feel like summer this week. High temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s across many areas here in the Inland Empire. Up until this point, there hasn’t been a 90-degree day for the 2020 season at Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene. However, Spokane did hit 90 degrees last Thursday.
Summer heat and sizzling lightning facts
Our summer season in the Inland Northwest has started off to be cooler than normal. Our warmest day was Saturday as high temperatures approached the 90-degree mark in some areas, but cooled down once again on Sunday.
Derecho winds cause problems in the Midwest
Last week, very strong winds moved through the central portions of the country, knocking out power and causing some widespread damage.