MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0630 Wednesday

The Snapshot:  Warming with sun breaks today.  Light snow is still on the docket for Friday with the weekend now trending mostly dry.

The Science

Current Observations:  The upper mountain is 36^0f  with high clouds aloft. The base area is foggy with the temperature at 22^0f .  The RH is 94% and the barometer has bumped up a notch to 1026mb’s.   The winds are easterly at +- 5mph.  The radar has high clouds with clear patches over the Cascades Mountains.

The Forecast:  This inversion is expected to hold on for another day or so. The process of warm air aloft mixing with the cold air to the east will continue for the next 24-36hrs.   Therefore, expect dry weather with mild temperatures and broken clouds today and most of tomorrow. 

Friday’s storm profile:  The high pressure cell is expected to flatten and drift SE tomorrow.  This will open the door for WNW flow to bring a cold front to the region early Friday morning.  The westerly flow will push the inversion structure out and allow the freezing levels spike up and then begin to drop.  There is not a ton of moisture associated with this system but we should pick up a few inches of snow on Friday. It is a change, so we will take it.

The Long Range:  Meanwhile, a large high pressure cell developing off the California/Oregon coast will nudge north over the weekend.  The models are in agreement in keeping most of the activity to the north of Stevens Pass.   Hopefully, some moisture will make it through on Sunday/ Monday for some additional snow.          

24hr Precipitation ending at 4am: Today 24hr water: 0 snow:0 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: 0  snow:0 Trend and Timing: Dry through early Friday morning.

24hr temperature ending at 4 am:  Low: 22/32     High: 32/40 Freezing level: 4000’/ 8000’ Trend and Timing:    The temperature inversion will continue through tomorrow afternoon.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am: Base: 0-5 E Ridge Top: 5-10 E Trend and Timing: Easterly winds strengthen today.  The winds are expected to remain easterly through tomorrow and shift westerly tomorrow evening.

jM