Andy S. asked:

snip...
>Jack, is the Pacific Northwest now subject to a strong
southwesterly flow aloft?

It has been strong westerly for the past 2 months, Andy. More
importantly, the winds in the bottom 3,000 feet or so have been
moderate to strong south to southeasterly at times ahead of the
barrage of low pressure systems which have been making their way
inland into the PNW. SASP are not high elevation migrants as far
as I know, so the lower level winds should be the driving force.
Note that the winds in the wake of the systems turn more
westerly after the cold fronts pass, so it is equally probable
that birds are being tossed to the NW ahead of the systems, and
then to the E or NE as they pass.

And recall that Victoria, BC had a SASP for a few days just
about exactly one year ago.



---------------------------
Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca