MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0700 Thursday

The Snapshot:   Mostly clear with some morning fog and a few high clouds today.  Clouds begin to increase tonight with rain expected tomorrow night.

The Science:  This morning’s IR satellite has mostly clear skies throughout the state.  Clouds will increase during the next 24hrs as the high-pressure ridge slowly drifts east.  This will open the door for a frontal system to move through the mountains tomorrow night.   Freezing levels will continue to be above 5000’ through early Saturday morning, so expect most of the precipitation to be in the form of rain.    

The Long Range:   A cold front moves in on Saturday dropping temps and changing the rain to snow just before it tapers off.   Another front moves in on Sunday with some fresh snow heading into the new week. 

Precipitation Ending at 4am: Today 24hr water = 0 Snow = 0 Tomorrow’s 24hr water = 0 snow = 0 Trend and Timing: 0

24hr temperature ending at 4 am tomorrow:                                        Low:  30   High: 45 Freezing level: +6500’ Trend and Timing:    Good early morning cooling with temperatures climbing back into the mid 40’s today.   Freezing levels will remain well above Pass level through late Friday night.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am tomorrow: Base:  0-5 ESE Ridge Top: 0-10 SSE Trend and Timing: East flow at the surface with southerly flow along the ridge tops will be the wind regime for the next 36+ hrs.

jM