What to expect from NW weather ahead: Today So Far

• January was pretty light as far as winter goes in the Northwest. But a state climatologist says winter is not finished with Washington just yet.
• Got art? Luckily, KUOW has a bevy of recommendations for what to do around here, from cage fighting poets to shoeless art exhibits and sculptures you can pet — check out what's happening.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for February 3, 2023.

La Niña was supposed to bring cold, wet weather to our corner of the planet this winter, but it seems that the Northwest was spared that fate. Instead, other parts of the USA got hit, especially California, which suffered massive floods. But as Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond tells KUOW, Washington's turn will come around soon. Winter is not done with the Northwest.

"The month of January was kind of a dud," Bond said. "After the first of the year, during La Niña winters, we tend to have some cool wet weather; not the case this past January. But looking ahead to February into March, we should have a return to more normal weather."

That means more snowpack in the mountains, which is good. Some areas still need more snow. That's important for summer when we rely on water coming down the mountain.

"I think it's going to be our turn with some storms coming out of the Gulf of Alaska into the Pacific Northwest over the course of February into March," Bond said.

In short, when spring comes along, Washington can expect things to dry out amid some warmer temps. Same for the upcoming summer, though it's important to note that climatologists and meteorologists are never quite certain when it comes to looking out that far ahead. Check out all of Bond's weather insights for what's to come here.

Got art?

One thing I'm very proud of KUOW for lately is our arts and culture coverage, which is producing a lot of recommendations for things to see and do. From cage fighting poets to shoeless art exhibits and sculptures you can pet — check out what's happening.

Writer and Seattle's civic poet Shin Yu Pai points out a few events of interest for KUOW this week. Poet and former cage fighter Jenny Liou will read from her new book of poetry "Muscle Memory" on Feb. 6 at Elliott Bay Books. She also recommends "Shapes of Things to Come," at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. This exhibit offers a collection of book art from local to international artists. I have to say, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is a hidden gem in our region. At the risk of sounding snobby, you don't often expect an art museum to be that well done in smaller towns, but Bainbridge really has something going on over there. Check out Shin Yu Pai's recommendations here.

KUOW's arts and culture reporter Mike Davis is also sharing his adventures in art through his new weekly post ... Mike's adventures in art. It spans everything from museums to the stage, and even what to stream at home. This week, Mike is pointing you to a few attractions that are slated to close soon, so you better act fast. For example, "Thoreau at Home," at the 18th and Union Art Space, is streaming for home audiences through this weekend. The performance is apt for fans of classic literature, as well as for Seattleites who love "screaming about people needing to be outside."

The Museum of Museums is Mike's pick of the week. The "Gum Baby" exhibit requires folks to remove their shoes. Apparently, you find out why once your there. Another exhibit, "Soft Touch," is like a petting zoo for sculptures. The tactile and soft-sculpture art featured here is meant to be interacted with. Check out all of Mike's adventurous recommendations here.

Soundside is also recommending a range of film festivals, from Seattle to Yakima, for your viewing pleasure this month. There are actually quite a few.

Finally, I'm going to throw one pop culture adventure your way: The FRIENDS Experience. This attraction opened this week and is slated to run through April. It's an internationally touring spectacle that brings fans past the fourth wall and into the iconic 1990s sitcom. You can hang out in Monica's apartment, lounge at Central Perk, and even help Ross move his couch up a flight of stairs. There is a lot of photo potential here. But there's also a museum aspect for hardcore viewers interested in learning about all of Rachel's different and influential hairstyles, or how the show's art and wardrobes were designed to set the ambiance of "Friends." I toured the experience this week. Check out my preview here.

The Friday Five: News you may have missed this week, and other cool stuff

• China says the balloon is theirs but not used for spying. Here's what we know
• Proposed bill would let WA naturopaths prescribe opioids
• Experts on how U.S. can reach Biden's renewable energy goals
• Amazon reports its first unprofitable year since 2014
• Robot joins the ranks at Spokane hospital

AS SEEN ON KUOW

At a concert organized by the 43rd District Democrats on Capitol Hill, musicians spoke about their housing struggles and pitched I-135 as a solution. In this image, Shaina Shepherd performs for a crowd including I-135's mascot, "Housey." Social housing is on a special Seattle ballot this month. Initiative 135 would create a publicly owned developer that builds and preserves affordable housing. The apartments would serve a broader range of incomes than most affordable housing does today. (Joshua McNichols / KUOW)

DID YOU KNOW?

The FRIENDS Experience opened in Seattle this week, offering casual and hardcore fans an opportunity to hang at the Central Perk cafe, sit in Chandler and Joey's chairs, and more. It's a deep dive into a pop culture phenomenon, but it's not the first obsessive attempt to bring the TV show to life. Fans across the globe have started up their own, fully operational Central Perks over the years.

For a few years, there were three Central Perk cafes in the UK. One in Liverpool was the most popular. But those locations closed down in 2016 and were converted into Cafe Bar Ameriesko, an all-American TV themed establishment serving hot dogs and nachos, and featuring memorabilia spanning "Sex and the City" to "Breaking Bad." The Yelp page for the original Liverpool Central Perk is still up, and it looks like it was a pretty hip spot.

A similar story unfolded in Beijing, China, where a Central Perk cafe opened up on the sixth floor of a commercial building. The cafe was started by a Beijing man who describes "Friends" as his religion and calls himself "Gunther." His son's name is Joey, and learned to say "How you doin?" at an early age. Seriously, check out this video. His cat is even named "Smelly Cat." While the Beijing location has closed, there may still be an up-and-running Central Perk in Shanghai.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

Yale honors the work of a 9-year-old Black girl whose neighbor reported her to police

Nine-year-old Bobbi Wilson may be in the fourth grade, but last month the Yale School of Public Health held a ceremony honoring the budding scientist's recent work. The accolades come just three months after Bobbi, who is Black, made headlines when former Caldwell City Councilmember Gordon Lawshe, who is white, called local police on the girl.

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