MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0600 Sunday

The Snapshot:  One more clear, cold morning before things begin to change later today.  Light snow showers begin tonight and will mix with dry periods through the upcoming week.

The Science:   A cloud deck will begin to roll in this afternoon as a weak system approaches from the south.   A warmer air mass associated with this system will raise freezing levels to near 4000’ along the western slopes through the next 12-24hrs.   Cool easterly flow will hold surface temperatures below freezing for the time being, but will eventually be overtaken by the warmer southerly flow. 

Long Range:  Weak systems forming along the coastal waters will continue to spin light bands of moisture into the Cascade Mountains through the week.  None of these systems are all that remarkable, so no significant snow is expected in the long range outlook.

Precipitation ending at 4 am: Today’s 24hr Water = .10   Snow =  1-3 Tomorrow’s 24hr Water = <.25   Snow = 1-3 Trend and Timing: Snow begins late tonight and continues through early Tuesday morning.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am tomorrow:  Low:12  High: 28 Freezing level: 1000’ -3500.' Trends and Timing: Freezing levels will begin to rise tonight with the west slope surface temperatures reaching 320f  tomorrow morning.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am tomorrow: Base: 5-10 E  Ridge Top: 5-15 SSE Trend and Timing: East flow will persist through tomorrow while ridge top winds shift southerly.

jM