11/15/2012 Stevens Pass Mountain Weather Forecast

General Discussion: The radar shows just a few left over showers west of the mountains as high pressure moves over the region. Hopefully the sun will make an appearance today as it tries to burn off these low clouds hanging on the crest.

Long-term: Historically, the last two weeks of November are the wettest of the year. That tradition will continue. A series of wet weather system will clobber the PNW starting on Saturday and lasting through all of next week. Snow or rain? That is the question of the day. Models have the freezing levels fluctuating between 4000’ and 5000’ throughout this entire series of storms.

Weekend Storm details: The first wave of precipitation is expected to hit the mountains on Saturday. Snow should fall above 4000’ with totals on Saturday being around +-6”. There will be a dry period Saturday night and most of Sunday with the next front arriving Sunday night. Current models show the freezing levels rising to 5000’ on Monday with moderate to heavy rain likely. More frontal systems with general cooling are expected through the Thanksgiving weekend.

24hr Accumulative Precipitation Totals Starting at Noon Today:
“Water by midnight=0
“Of additional water by 4am=0
“Of additional water by 12pm=0

24hr (12pm-12pm) Inches of Water = 0

24hr (12pm-12pm) Inches of Snow =0

Trend and Timing:
No precipitation expected for the next 24 hrs. Light Snow showers will begin tomorrow afternoon.

24hr Base Area Temperatures (F) Starting at Noon Today:
Low: 24 High: 32
Freezing level: 3500’ 4000’

Trend and Timing:
Surface temperature in the low 20’s will be possible under clear skies tonight. Freezing level will rise tomorrow to 4000’ by tomorrow night.

24hr Winds Speed (mph)/Direction Starting at Noon Today
Base: 0-5 E
Ridge Top: 0-5 E shifting W

Trend and Timing:
Light east flow will continue through tonight. Winds will shift SWS tomorrow. High winds will be possible throughout this next storm cycle.