December 5, 2014

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

0630 Friday:

The Snapshot:  Unfortunately, there are not many changes to yesterday's forecast.  Light snow and rain shower today, snow changing to rain tomorrow.  Watch for more possible freezing rain as well.   Another similar event starts on Monday.   

The Science:   A large low pressure system off the NW coast will continue to spin mixed snow and rain showers into the mountains today.  A stronger warm front approaches from the south tomorrow; this will bring some snow at first then change to rain once the front moves east of the crest.  The winds will shift to westerly, and temperatures will rise above freezing tomorrow afternoon.   A weak upper-level ridge passes over on Sunday for a dry and partly clear day. 

4-7day Long Range:   Hit repeat on Monday with another wet and warm series of storms tracking through the PNW from the south.  This pattern will persist through the middle of next week.   Long term forecast models do have the northern jet stream shifting north by the end of next week.  Hopefully, this will be the shift we are all hoping for.   

24hr precipitation ending at 4am tomorrow:

Water = .25   Snow = 1-3

Trend and Timing:
Light snow and rain showers today.   A juicier system is expected to bring snow then rain tomorrow morning.


24hr temperature ending at 4am tomorrow: 
Low: 24   High: 32
Freezing level: 4000’

Freezing Level Trends and Timing
Freezing levels will rise to 4000’ by early tomorrow morning then bounce between 4000’ and 5000’ for the remainder of the weekend.  Persistent east flow will help hold surface temperatures near freezing.

 
24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am tomorrow:
Base: 5-10 E  
Ridge Top:  5-15 E

Trend and Timing:
 East winds will continue through early tomorrow morning. Winds shift westerly and strengthen with the passing of the front around mid-day tomorrow.




JM

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0800 Start Thurs Jan 22nd, no ABS