SPOT WEATHER FORECAST

12/31/2009 Weather

Short term: There is a strong warm front pushing those dark clouds in from the west. This will bring heavy precipitation to the mountains today. A cold front will follow tomorrow dropping freezing levels and bringing another push of heavy moisture.

Long-term: The cold front that will pass through tomorrow will bring high winds and convergence conditions – could pick up some nice snow by Saturday morning. A high-pressure ridge will begin to dry things out for the start of the week.

24 hour forecast starting at noon on Thursday
Precipitation
“ Water: .75-1+
“ of Snow: 6-10 more if we dodge the rain bullet.

Temperatures (F):
4000’ Low: 30 High: 36
5000’ Low: 28 High: 32

Winds speed/Direction
Pass level: 5-10 E – shifting SW
Ridge top: 5-15 SE – Shifting SW

TRENDS AND TIMING
Precipitation:
Snow will rapidly increase as the day progresses. There will be a period tonight for the risk of rain below 5000’ - hopefully this will be short lived if at all. The rain should turn back to heavy snow tomorrow and continue into Saturday. Storm totals by Saturday morning could exceed +3” of water – impressive.

Freezing levels:
Models are showing the freezing levels reaching 4000’ sometime after 7pm tonight. Freezing levels will peak near 5500’ sometime during the night. Freezing levels will then drop back down to 4000’ and stay there through tomorrow. Temperatures should be low enough for snow for most of tomorrow.

Winds:
East flow will hold in there through most of the day. Eventually, it will be overtaken by strong SW flow as the front passes. Look for a high wind event tomorrow afternoon as the winds shift from SW to W. JDM