MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0900 Saturday

The Snapshot:  Rain, snow and wind intensifying today.  A dry and warming trend begins tomorrow.

The Science:  A warm front approaching the coast will drop a healthy dose of moisture on Stevens Pass tonight. Freezing levels are slowly rising, so rain is anticipated below 4500’ with snow on the upper mountain.  High pressure begins to build up from the south tomorrow with warm air entrained.  Freezing levels are expected to rise to +- 8000’ on Monday and Tuesday.  Another frontal system will drive more precipitation into the region Tuesday night. This will probably start out as rain.   

4-7day Long Range.  Cooler NW flow moves in on Wednesday with a chance of snow by the end of the week.

Precipitation: 16hr Water by 4am tomorrow  = .75   Snow = 2” base,  4-6 upper mnt 24hr water by noon tomorrow = .75-1  Snow = 2-4” base 4-6 upper mnt Trend and Timing: Mixed rain and snow intensifies today.  Mostly rain in the base area with snow on the upper mountain.   The precipitation diminishes tomorrow morning.

Base Temp and Freezing levels:  Low: 32  High: 36 Freezing level: +-5000’ Trends and Timing Freezing levels rise to 5000’ today.  Snow levels could be a few hundred feet lower.   Temperatures gradually continue to rise through the weekend.

Winds (mph) Base: 5-15 WSW Ridge Top: 10-20 WSW Trend and Timing: Strong winds will accompany the warm front.   Ridge top gust could hit 40mph tonight.  Winds diminish overnight and shift NW.  \