MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0730 Friday

The Snapshot:   Light snow this afternoon, rain tonight, moderate snow tomorrow.   A few days of dry and clear weather begins on Sunday.

The Science:  Clouds have begun to move in this morning in response to the approaching storm.  The leading edge of the moisture, which is currently still off the Oregon coast, will reach the North Central Cascades mid to late this afternoon.  There is enough cool air for the precipitation to start out a snow, but a warm front will quickly move in this evening, pushing up freezing levels up and providing a period of moderate rain.   A cold front will move in tomorrow morning dropping freezing levels and providing good westerly (convergence) flow through the day.   Snow showers taper off early Sunday morning.     

The Long Range:   Sunday and Monday will be dry and clear under high pressure.  More warm and wet weather is expected Tuesday – Friday.   

24hr Precipitation ending at 4am: Today 24hr water = .5-.75  snow = 1-3 Tomorrow’s 24hr water = .75-1  snow = 6-10 Trend and Timing: Light snow begins this afternoon; rain is expected between 10 pm and 7 am.   Moderate snow expected through the day tomorrow.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am:  Low: 26    High: 34 Freezing level: 3000’ - 6000’ – 35000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing level will rise to 4000’ today and then spike to +- 6000’ around midnight.  Temperatures will begin to fall after 7 am tomorrow.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am: Base: 0-5 E Ridge Top: 5-10 ESE Trend and Timing: Weak easterly flow at the surface with SE flow aloft will shift southerly over the next 24hrs.

jM