MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0700 Friday

The Snapshot:  Light snow showers with sun breaks today, snow tonight with mixed snow and rain showers tomorrow, dryer with some clear periods on Sunday, more snow on the way next week.

The Science:  Telemetry says somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-11” of snow fell during the last 24hrs. A low-pressure trough that has formed off the Washington coast will spin the next band of moisture up through the state tonight. This will be followed by another weak ridge high pressure for a repeat of today on Sunday with snow developing late Sunday night. 

The Long Range:  Unstable NW flow will keep this pattern of a storm every other day or so coming; Sunday/Monday and then again late Tuesday night, all should be good snow producers for Stevens Pass.

Precipitation Ending at 4am: Today 24hr water =  .25 Snow = 1-3 Tomorrow’s 24hr water = .25-.5 snow = 2-5 Trend and Timing: Snow after 7pm tonight.  Snow with a chance of rain in the base area early tomorrow morning.  The precipitation tapers off late tomorrow afternoon with Sunday trending dry.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am tomorrow:                                        Low: 30    High: 34+ Freezing level: +-4500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will remain steady around 4-4500’.   Sun breaks today could push surface temperatures above freezing.   Pockets of warm air will move through tomorrow which could temporarily bump up temperatures.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am tomorrow: Base: 0-10 E   Ridge Top: 5-10 ESE Trend and Timing: Winds will be mostly E with southerly flow aloft.  Winds will shift westerly with the passing of the fronts.

jM