MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0900 Friday

 

The Snapshot: Wind, and mixed rain and snow will continue today.  Tonight will be dry with more rain and snow tomorrow.  

 

The Science:  A cold front will move over the mountains today.  Strengthening westerly flow could bring a short convergence period this evening for a few inches of snow.  A low pressure system tracking towards southern BC will spin another wave of moisture into the Cascade Mountains starting tomorrow and lasting through Sunday.   Freezing levels rise to 5000’ on Saturday (rain) then fall below 4000’ on Sunday for snow.  Monday morning could be some decent boarding with new snow and building high pressure.

 

4-7day Long Range: High pressure begins to build on Monday for a dry and sunny start to the week.  Long range models begin to disagree on next week’s pattern so I will leave that alone for now.

Precipitation: Water by 4am = .5  Snow = 2-6 24hr total inches of water ending at noon tomorrow = .5+ 24hr total inches of snow ending at noon tomorrow =  4-6   Trend and Timing: Rain changing to snow with a convergence zone developing this afternoon.  There will be a short break tonight with light rain expected tomorrow.

Base Temp and Freezing levels:  Low:28   High: 32 Freezing level: +- 4500’   Trends and Timing Freezing levels will drop to 4000’ this afternoon and then rise to 5000’ tomorrow.

Winds (mph) Base: 5-15 W Ridge Top: 10-20 W  gusty to 40 possible   Trend and Timing: Winds will kick up today with the passing of the front.  Winds will diminish over night and shift southerly tomorrow.