Start Time New Years Day...8am

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Wednesday:

The Snapshot: Abundant sunshine and stars will end the year.  Light snow is expected on Friday, dry on Saturday, measurable snow on Sunday/Monday with warmer temperatures.  

The Science: High pressure parked off of the NW coast will continue to produce dry and sunny weather through Friday.  Temperatures will continue to inch up towards seasonal norms during the next few days.  A weak system will make its way into the region on Friday for a chance of some light snow.

4-7day Long Range:  Another frontal system will track down the BC coast (similar to last week’s storm) on Sunday.  This may be another nice snow producer.  Stay tuned as those details get refined.     

  

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = 0  Snow = 0 Tomorrow’s 24hr Water= 0  Snow = 0 Trend and Timing: 0

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low: 12   High: 24 Freezing level: 0 – 2000’ Trends and Timing: Temperatures will slowly rise through the next 24-48hrs.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 0-5 E Ridge Top: 0-5 NNE   Trend and Timing: Winds will weaken today and be fairly light for the next few days.

JM

Start Time Wednesday---8am

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Tuesday:

The Snapshot:  Cold sunshine today.   Warming begins tomorrow with light snow possible towards the end of the week.

The Science: The lowest temperatures of the week should be this morning (2^of).  The high-pressure stationed off the Washington coast will drift east today allowing temperatures to rise during the next 24hr.   The atmosphere will remain dry and stable for most of the remaining week.   

4-7day Long Range:  The pattern begins to change on Friday as the high-pressure flattens and tracks south.   Therefore, there is anticipation of snow Friday-Sunday.   Freezing levels rise to the neighborhood of 4500’ over the weekend as well.  

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = 0  Snow =0 Tomorrow’s 24hr Water=  0 Snow =  0 Trend and Timing: Dry

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low:  5  High: 24 Freezing level: 500’  3500’ Trends and Timing: Temperatures will slowly rise through the next 24rhs.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 5-10 E   Ridge Top:  5-15 E   gusty Trend and Timing: Easterly winds will weaken today and shift northerly.

JM

6:30 Start for Tuesday 12/30 - C10 set up!!!

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0700 Monday:

The Snapshot:  Clearing and cold today and tomorrow with strong east winds; warmer by the end of the week with a chance for snow over the weekend.

The Science: 2” of snow overnight.  A cold, dry, clear air mass will settle over the region today.  Temperatures will begin to warm in a few days.  East/offshore winds will blow through the Pass for the next few days.   

4-7day Long Range:  The high-pressure begins to weaken toward the end of the week. This should allow systems to make it to the Cascade Mountains by the weekend.   

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = <.10   Snow = trace Tomorrow’s 24hr Water= 0  Snow =0  Trend and Timing: Any leftover snow will end this morning.  Dry conditions prevail for most of the week.

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low:19    High: 8 Freezing level: +-500’ Trends and Timing: Temperatures will fall into the single digits tonight.  East winds will likely bring wind chills well below zero.   Temps rebound into the low 20’s by mid week.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base:  5-15 E Ridge Top:  10-20 E Trend and Timing:  Strong east flow today and tomorrow.

JM

8:00 start monday

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Sunday:

The Snapshot:  Snow will slowly taper off today.  Cold and dry weather begins tomorrow and last through the middle of the week.  Bundle up tomorrow as brisk easterly winds develop. There is a chance for light snow on Thursday/Friday.  

The Science:  1.23” of water that produced 14” of snow during the last 24hrs. Hopefully, another inch or two will be squeezed out before all the left over moisture drifts south during the next 12-24hrs.   High- pressure building off the southern BC coast will pull cold arctic air in from the northeast tomorrow; this will produce a few days’ of cold and clear weather.  Strong offshore flow will create stiff easterly pass level winds tomorrow and Tuesday.      

4-7day Long Range:   Long range models have the blocking ridge weakening by the end of the week.  This may allow another disturbance to make its way in late Thursday for a little more snow.   The weekend appears dry at the moment.

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = <.25  Snow =1-3 Tomorrow’s 24hr Water= 0  Snow =  0 Trend and Timing: Light snow showers will be possible through early tomorrow morning.  Dry tomorrow through Thursday.

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low: 16   High: 24 Freezing level: 3000’   1000’ Trends and Timing: Temperatures will slowly fall today with single digits lows expected by early Tuesday morning.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 0-5 NW  shifting E Ridge Top:  0-10 NW  Shifting E Trend and Timing:  W winds are on the decline this morning and will shift easterly overnight.   East flow will strengthen tomorrow with winds gusting to 40+.  Brrr.

JM

8:00 am start sunday

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630  Saturday:

The Snapshot:  This morning’s radar has snow just beginning to fall in the mountains.  Lots-o-snow today, tapering off tomorrow, clear and cold all of next week.  

The Science:  A well organized winter storm will track south through the state today dumping over a foot of snow on the Cascades.  Snow quickly diminishes early tomorrow morning as cold, dry air flows in from the north.  Strong high pressure builds over the entire NW region on Monday for clear and cold weather.

4-7day Long Range: High pressure will dominate the weather pattern into the New Year.

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = 1- 1.25  Snow = 14”-18” Tomorrow’s 24hr Water=<.25   Snow = 1-2 Trend and Timing: Snow will taper off early tomorrow morning with light snow showers possible into Monday.

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low: 20   High: 32 Freezing level:  4000’   2000’ Trends and Timing: Freezing levels will briefly spike to 4000’ this morning with the passing of the front.  Temperatures will fall through the day.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 5-10 WNW Ridge Top: 5-15 W  Gust to 40. Trend and Timing: Winds don’t appear to be very sustained.  Expect a short period of high winds this afternoon/evening.

JM

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Friday:

The Snapshot:   Mostly dry with sun breaks today.  Winter storm advisory tomorrow, the year ends cold and dry.   

The Science:  The anticipated winter storm rolling south along the BC coast is still on track to bring snow the Cascades starting early tomorrow morning.  If the western edge of this system pulls enough moisture off of the coastal waters, a good foot or more of snow will fall in the Cascade Mountains tomorrow.  A weak Puget Sound Convergence Zone will also play a part in providing some additional  orographics.  It all comes to an end on early Sunday morning as cold, stable air flows in from the north.  Powder Day.

4-7day Long Range:  Remnant snow showers linger into Monday as high-pressure strengthens.  Temperatures may fall into the single digits Monday night/early Tuesday morning.  The final week of the year will be sunny, cool and dry.

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = <.25  Snow = 0-2 Tomorrow’s 24hr Water =1+   Snow = 10-15  Trend and Timing: Snow begins to fall early tomorrow morning and will continue just past midnight.  Snow begins to diminish on Sunday.

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low: 22    High: 28 Freezing level: 2500’   3500’ Trends and Timing: Freezing levels will inch up to near 3500’ by tomorrow afternoon.  Temperatures will then fall back down on Sunday.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 0-5 WNW Ridge Top: 0-10 WNW   Trend and Timing: The winds don’t appear to be significant at this time, but expect some pre and post frontal windy periods.

JM

Start Time Saturday---8am

Start Time Friday---8am

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Thursday:

The Snapshot: Merry Christmas.  The next two days will be relatively quiet with sun breaks and light snow showers.  Plan for snow over the weekend with cool and clear weather next week.  

The Science:  Weak, unstable NW flow will keep the threat of snow showers in the mountain today and tomorrow.  A low-pressure system tracking south along the BC coast will bring snow to the Cascades Mountains starting early Saturday morning.  As of now, snow amounts by Sunday morning range between 8-12”.     

4-7day Long Range: Snow comes to an end on Sunday as a cold, dry air mass descends from the north.  Most of next week will be clear and cold.   

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water = .10  Snow = +-1” Tomorrow’s 24hr Water=.25  Snow = 2-4’’ Trend and Timing: Light intermittent snow until early Saturday morning.

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low:22    High: 26 Freezing level: +-2500’ Trends and Timing: Freezing levels will hold steady 2500’ through early Saturday morning.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 0-10 WNW Ridge Top: 5-10 WNW   Trend and Timing: WNW flow will continue through early Saturday morning.

JM

Start Time Christmas Day---8am

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Wednesday:

The Snapshot:  Snow showers today, light snow with sun breaks tomorrow and Friday, snow over the weekend, dry and clear next week.

The Science:  The rain turned to snow around 10pm last night with 7” of new snow so far this morning.  Intermittent snow showers will linger along the Cascade Crest through tomorrow due to cool unstable NW flow.  Pressure gradients weaken tonight producing some partial clearing with light snow showers tomorrow and Friday.  

4-7day Long Range:  A low-pressure system tracking south along the coastal mountains of BC will bring some measurable snow to the Cascades over the weekend.  Let’s hope we get a good foot over the weekend because a large high-pressure system is developing along the entire western seaboard starting on Monday.  This will produce dry and clear weather possibly lasting into the New Year.   There is a cool airmass accompanying this pattern that will help preserve the snow pack.   

Precipitation ending at 4am: Today’s 24hr Water =.25-.5   Snow = 3-6 Tomorrow’s 24hr Water=,.25   Snow = 1-2 Trend and Timing: Snow showers will slowly diminish through the night. Tomorrow will be mostly dry with some very light snow possible.

24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow:  Low: 22   High: 26 Freezing level: -+2500’ Trends and Timing: Freezing levels will hold steady around 2500’ or lower through tomorrow.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow: Base: 0-10 WNW Ridge Top:  5-10 NW Trend and Timing: NW flow will continue through Friday.

JM