SPOT WEATHER FORECAST

12/19/2009 Weather


Short term: Things should briefly dry out today before the next system tracks in tonight. A low-pressure system will stall when it hits land this evening. This will spin bands of moisture through the mountains for the next few days.

Long-term: Confidence is still low in long-term models. Could get a little snow on Monday. A ridge of high pressure may develop midweek producing a few dry, cool days. Beyond that is anyone’s guess.

24 hour forecast starting at noon on Saturday

Precipitation
“ Water: .75+
“ of Snow: if snow – 6-10”

Temperatures (F):
4000’ Low: 32 High: 36
5000’ Low: 28 High: 34

Winds speed/Direction
Pass level: 0-5 E
Ridge top: 0-10 ESE


TRENDS AND TIMING

Precipitation: A very saturated air mass will begin to move east today and bring a brief dry period this afternoon. A juicy warm front will bring a mixed bag of freezing rain, rain and snow to the Pass tonight. Could get snow above 4500’ if we are lucky.

Freezing levels: There is hope that the developing east flow will overtake the warm advection from the west tonight but that is uncertain. Freezing levels may drop to 4500’ this afternoon but not much further. Freezing levels will rise to 6000’ tomorrow before a cold front moving in on Monday drops them below pass level.

Winds: East flow is expected to develop tonight. This will eventually be overtaken by SW flow tomorrow. JDM