MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0800 Black Friday

The Snapshot:  We should expect intermittent snow showers with some clear periods today.  Snow changing to rain arrives late tomorrow night.

Not so fun fact: 7.67” of rain fell since Monday with a peak temperature of 48 degrees on Wednesday.       

The Science

Current Observations:  Since 4 am yesterday, 1.44” of water fell with just an inch or two of snow.  The temperature is 32 degrees, the RH is 84%, the barometer is 1013mb and holding steady, the westerly winds are still gusty.  The radar has mostly clear skies over the mountains with spotty showers out to the west.

A weak high pressure ridge developing over the panhandle of Idaho will create a bit of a blocking pattern for the incoming precipitation. A few snow showers will make it through from time to time. The temperatures profile will sit near 32 degrees with freezing levels around 4500’.  

Another warm front is expected to lift up from the south tomorrow for another mixed snow/rain changing to a rain event.  East flow development will keep the moisture as snow for the start; however, the freezing level will likely lift above 5000’ on Sunday morning.  A cold front will swing through Sunday afternoon, dropping temperatures and shifting the rain back to snow showers.  Sound familiar?       

The Long Range:  Monday and Tuesday will be snowy with some potential accumulation.  Then this storm cycle series comes to and end as high pressure begins to build over the region.  So as of now, the last week of November will likely end dry with sunshine and seasonally normal temperatures. 

24hr Precipitation ending at 4am: Today 24hr water:.25  snow: 1-2 Tomorrow’s 24hr water:.25 - .5  snow: 1-4 Trend and Timing: Intermittent snow showers today with tomorrow morning starting out dry.  Snow showers turning to rain showers begin late Saturday night.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am:  Low: 30    High: 34 Freezing level: +-4000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will hover around 4500’ with some normal daytime warming today.  Cool east flow development will help hold early morning temperatures at or just below freezing.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am: Base: 0-5 W shifting E Ridge Top: 5-15 W gusty Trend and Timing: The winds will begin to taper off today and then shift easterly tomorrow.

jM