MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 12:00 am Monday

The Snapshot:   Mixed rain and snow showers are on the weather docket for today and tomorrow.   Another wave of moisture is expected on Wednesday with the week ending dry and warmer.  Any snow that does accumulate today will not likely stick around.  

The Science:  Heavy wet snow is currently falling with freezing levels around 4500’.  Storms riding on the northern jet stream will continue to track toward the PNW through the week.  However, a ridge of high pressure developing over the interior could create a blocking effect for the incoming storms later in the week.   Most of the moisture is likely to be pushed north into the BC coastal mountains.

The Long Range: The next wave of moisture will enter the mountains late Wednesday evening with Thursday and Friday trending dry due to the blocking ridge effect.  The offshore low-pressure system will dig pretty far south this week which equates to warmer air as part of the equation.   The models are pretty inconsistent from run to run. Therefore, confidence is fairly low.   

Precipitation Ending at 4am: Today 24hr water = .75  Snow = 1-2 base, 2-4 upper mountain. Tomorrow’s 24hr water =  .25-.5  snow = 1-2 Trend and Timing: Mixed rain and snow today shifting to intermittent showers tonight and tomorrow.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am tomorrow:                                        Low:  34   High: 38 Freezing level: 4500’  - 5500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will fluctuate between 4500 and 5500 feet through early Wednesday morning.  Freezing levels will be on the rise (+7000’) for the end of the week.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am tomorrow: Base:  5-10 W Ridge Top: 5-15 SW  gusty Trend and Timing: Gusty westerly flow will be the wind game today with the general flow turning southerly by the end of the week.   Winds will be gusty at times.

jM