March 7, 2016

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0600 Monday

The Snapshot:  Snow showers today, clearing tonight, snow tomorrow night, rain on Thursday.

The Science: Light snow is falling at Stevens with the bulk of the energy being confined to the western slopes.  An unstable atmosphere with westerly flow will keep snow showers likely through the day with tonight and the first half of tomorrow being relatively dry.   A fast-moving front will swing through tomorrow afternoon with another few inches of snow possible. 

The Long Range:   A low-pressure system tracking up the western coast will bring moderate to heavy snow Wednesday night.  At the moment, this appears to be a snow changing to rain event with freezing levels peaking around 6000’ on Thursday.  Models disagree on the timing and strength of this storm, so more reliable details to come. 

There are signs in the long range models of a shift to a more spring-like weather pattern developing over the weekend.  

Precipitation Ending at 4am:

Today 24hr water = .25+  Snow = 2-4

Tomorrow’s 24hr water = .25-.5 snow = 2-4

Trend and Timing:
Diminishing snow showers today, dry tonight with snow returning tomorrow afternoon.


24hr temperature ending at 4 am tomorrow: 
                                     
Low: 26    High: 32
Freezing level: +- 3500’

Trend and Timing:   
Freezing levels will hover around the 3500’ level.  Good daytime warming will occur, typical for this time of year.

 
24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am tomorrow:
Base: 0-5 W
Ridge Top: 5-10 W

Trend and Timing:
Westerly winds today shifting easterly tomorrow.  




jM

No comments: