"Tut tut...it looks like rain"

According to NOAA, what happened here yesterday was the coming together of a powerful Gulf of Alaska cold front and the “Pineapple Express” (a.k.a. - a moisture stream that stretches all the way to Hawaii). The result was a meteorological train wreck of 50 mph winds (with 75 mph gusts) and band after band of heavy rain for 16 non-stop hours. It all started at about 2:00 AM. The wind and rain suddenly picked up. Winds of about 30 mph were enough to blow around anything that wasn’t weighted or tied down. By 7:00 AM, the wind/rain combination was strong enough to start breaking small branches off trees. The power went out at 11:30 AM. By 2:00 PM, the radio stations were beginning to report blocked roads, downed power lines, wide-spread power outages, cancellations, and eye-witness reports from people saying things like “I’ve lived here all my life and this is the worst wind storm I’ve ever seen.” One caller said the strong wind blowing across Lake Whatcom was creating so much spray that it looked like the lake was shrouded in fog! A reporter called in to say, “Remember all those pretty rocks that the Port of Bellingham put along the shore of the bay? They’re gone!”
Our entire city lost power, as did most other towns in the northwest corner of Washington and lower British Columbia.
At first, NOAA issued a high wind warning until 2:00 PM. Then they extended the warning until 4:00, then 7:00. The Canadian station was saying the wind speed would drop off dramatically around sunset. The Canadians were right. At about 5:00, the wind slowed dramatically. By 6:00 there was only a light breeze and stars were beginning to show through big holes in the clouds. The power came back on at 6:06 PM.
I’m glad that the storm ended and the power came back. Nonetheless, wifey and I were so enjoying a bottle of wine and sandwiches by candlelight that we wouldn’t have minded if the lights stayed off all night.
Our internet and cable TV service didn't come back for another 24 hours.
NOAA says the next big storm is spooling up to hit on Sunday. Sheesh! Enough already!!