MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0900 Friday

The Snapshot: The snow is right on time and the temperatures are holding nicely for the moment.  Snow will intensify today with rising freezing levels.  A snow rain mix below 4500’ can be expected mid to late afternoon.

The Science:  A triple point (warm, cold, occluded) frontal system hitting landfall this morning will push moisture into the mountains throughout the day.  Heavy snow is expected in the mountains today with freezing levels rising to around 4500’.   Mixed snow and rain below 4500’ will continue through the night and taper off tomorrow morning.  Another warm front arrives early Sunday morning for another round of moisture with freezing levels rising to 5000’.  

4-7day Long Range:   Mixed rain and snow expected Sunday and Monday.  A cold front drops in from the NW on Monday for lowering freezing levels and hopefully a little more snow.  Building high pressure will create a prolonged dry period to the PNW to wrap up the Christmas week.

 

Precipitation:   Water by 4am = 1 Snow equivalent = 8-12”   Total inches of water by noon tomorrow = 1.25 Total inches of snow by noon tomorrow = 10-14”   Trends and Timing:   Snow will intensify today with the heaviest period this afternoon.  A period of rain can be expected below 4500’ mid to late this afternoon.   Snow will diminish to showers tomorrow morning with just light showers through the day.

Base Temp and Freezing levels:                                        Low: 24    High: 34 Freezing level: 3000’      4500’   Trend and Timing:   Freezing levels will reach 4500’ late this afternoon and then slowly fall back down to 4000’ through the night.

Winds (mph)   Base:  5-15 WSW Ridge Top:  10-20 W Shifting NW Trend and Timing:   Winds will increase today as the front approaches the mountains.  High ridge top wind with gusts above 40mph can be expected this afternoon and evening.  Wind will diminish and shift NW tomorrow.