MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0700 Monday

The Snapshot:  Light snow showers with sun breaks today.  A slow developing drying trend with a return to cold temperatures begins tomorrow and is expected to last for the remainder of the week. It should be pretty good sliding today.    

The Science: .44” of water and 6” of snow fell overnight with temperature peaking around midnight. Yesterday’s storm slowed its approach with the leading edge of the warm front passing east of the crest around 10 pm.  This stalling effect weakened the following cold front with the final occlusion moving through early this morning.  Light snow showers and slowly falling temperatures is what is left over and can be expected to continue through the day.  Unstable westerly flow will keep snow showers in the area through tomorrow but most of the activity will be south of Stevens Pass.  

The Long Range: The low-pressure system off the PNW coast will shift its aim into Oregon/California over the next 24hrs.  This will push all of the moisture south and allow cold arctic air to return.   Therefore, expect mostly dry, clear and cold weather for the second half of the week.   A warmer and wetter weather pattern is beginning to show signs of entering the region early next weekend.  

Precipitation Ending at 4am: Today 24hr water = .25  Snow = 2-4 Tomorrow’s 24hr water =.10  snow = 0-2 Trend and Timing: Snow showers will continue today and taper off tomorrow.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am tomorrow:  Low:  10   High: 24 Freezing level: 3500’ - 500’ Trend and Timing:    Temperatures will fall today with freezing levels dropping below 1000’ early tomorrow morning.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am tomorrow: Base: 0-5 W shifting E Ridge Top: 0-10 W shifting E Trend and Timing: Weak westerly flow will shift easterly over the next 12-24hrs.  A similar east/downslope wind pattern as we had last week, will start tomorrow.

jM