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Expert: - 12/14/2009


Question
Dear Dave,

I am cruising from LA to Hawaii, leaving LA DEC. 20th and returning Jan. 3rd.

What is the forecasted weather and how rough do you think the ocean is going to be?

I am trying not to over pack but I dislike being cold.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Answer
Marty,

In a "normal" situation, cruising in that area at that time of year would be no problem...generally dry with very comfortable temperatures. However, since we are in an El Nino pattern right now, that means a more active than normal southern jet stream. What that boils down to is more frequent storms coming across the Pacific Ocean, at a farther south latitude than usual. This is not to say that your time out on the ocean will be totally storm from start to finish. However, you should prepare for at least a few episodes of rainy weather. If things turn out better than that, great! However, at least you will be prepared. Temperatures during this period will be fairly comfortable, particularly closer to Hawaii, with highs in the 70s to near 80, and lows in the upper 60s.
I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Dave Dombek
AccuWeather.com

Accuweather

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Dave Dombek

Expertise

A weather enthusiast from an early age, Dave Dombek is now an AccuWeather meteorology expert.

Experience

Dave received his B.S. degree in meteorology from the Pennsylvania State University in May of 1980. Dave joined AccuWeather in July of 1980, beginning in the Snow Warning Service late that fall after his few month period of training. Within a short period of time, Dave got involved in radio broadcasting. He spent over 25 years broadcasting forecasts on radio stations throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, and has also done newspaper forecasts and television briefings. Currently, Dave is the lead television briefer for all of AccuWeather's television clients in the northeatern quarter of the nation. In his daily forecasting routine, Dave helps coordinate the forecasts in the northeastern part of the country. He is also the Director of Forecaster Hiring and is in charge of hiring new meteorologists. Finally, Dave is the supervisor of the climatology department at AccuWeather. An avid outdoorsman, Dave enjoys hunting and trout fishing. He also enjoys watching football and is a student of history and current events. If Dave doesn't already have enough on his plate, he is married with two teenage daughters. He also leads a small Messianic congregation in the State College, Pa. area.

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