The Chanukah-Thanksgiving Weather Miracle
The last time it occurred was 1888 and the next occurrence
won't be for 77,000 years: The first day of Chanukah and Thanksgiving will occur on the same day, called
Thanksgivukkah by some.
What do you think are the implications of combining "The Festival of Lights" with the day of gratitude for the blessings provided to our nation by a higher power (to paraprhase George Washington's proclamation of November 26, 1789)? The answer should be clear to anyone that is meteorologically inclined:
a day with a great deal of sunshine over the entire nation. A day with a lack of storminess and ill-weather. And here in the favored Pacific Northwest we should be particularly blessed, because we deserve it.
Let me begin with the national outlook for Thanksgiving Day. Below is the GFS model forecast
by the National Weather Service that is valid at 4 PM Thursday PST (7 PM Thursday EST). This forecast shows three-hour precipitation (shading) and sea level pressure.
The signs of divine intervention (or at least Thanksgivukkah intervention) are obvious.
Precipitation is supernaturally avoiding virtually the ENTIRE US. Where there is precipitation over the ocean,
it suddenly ends at the coasts. The only exception is far NW Washington State, but not many folks live there and most of those watch Canadian TV. In other words, they don't count.
But there is more. Look at the sea level pressure pattern (solid lines). High pressure dominates most of the nation and there are no low pressure centers or storms influencing the U.S. mainland. Even most of Alaska is experiencing high pressure. As a trained meteorologist let me assure you that to see the entire U.S. spared of inclement weather in late November is a miracle of the first order.
Living in God's country here in the Northwest, we can, of course, expect a special benediction by this confluence of Chanukah and Thanksgiving. Plus, we suffer from bad weather more than most and are thus more deserving of special intervention. Monday, November 25th, will be the 6th straight day without rain, during a period when the climatological chance of rain is around 65%! And the chances looks certain that Puget Sound will go without measurable rain at least through Wednesday (8 days), with some light rain late on Thanksgiving.
Does the number eight (8) ring any bells with you? It should. The miracle of Chanukah was that there was enough oil in the temple for one day, but it lasted a full eight days. Here is Seattle we will enjoy eight dry days, when we would have been lucky to have had one. Profound and bit scary.