MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day:  0700 Wednesday

The Snapshot:  Snow today with rising freezing levels.  Light mixed rain and snow showers with seasonally average temperatures tomorrow and Friday.

The Science

Current Observations: It is dark and cloudy at the moment.

The Pass level temperature is 25⁰ f and it is 21 degrees on the upper mountain, the humidity is at 87%, the barometer 1014mb and beginning to fall, the winds are light and out of the ENE. 

The clouds will increase today as the approaching frontal system begins its trek inland.  The cold front has begun to occlude; this is an indicator of the warm air flowing in from the SW.  The first main band of moisture is expected to enter the mountains this afternoon.  Freezing levels will rise to around 4000’ along the western slopes.  Cold air to the east, flowing through the Pass gap, will keep the precipitation in the form of snow through at least noon tomorrow.   Warm southerly flow will begin to erode the cold air over the next 24hrs, this will push the freezing levels up to +- 4500’ tomorrow afternoon. 

The Long Range:  Friday and Saturday’s weather will be fairly benign with mild temperature and some light mixed rain and snow showers.   The next system arrives on Sunday with the rain vs snow game beginning again.  More active weather with cooler temperatures is on the docket for next week.  

24hr Precipitation ending at 4am: Today 24hr water: .25-.5 snow: 2-5 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .5 snow: 2-5 Trend and Timing: Snow begins after 2 pm today.  A moderate intermittent shower pattern develops overnight with mixed rain possible tomorrow afternoon.  Snow totals will depend on the east flow effect.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am:  Low: 24    High: 32 Freezing level: 2500’ – 4000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will rise to 4000’ today.  Surface temperatures will stay below freezing through the night and then begin to rise through the day tomorrow.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 am: Base: 5-10 E Ridge Top: 5-15 ESE Trend and Timing: East flow will continue through at least noon tomorrow.  Wind will shift southwesterly late tomorrow afternoon.

jM