MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day:  0630 Thursday

The Snapshot:  Mostly dry today with some light snow expected overnight.  Dry and cold weather is on the docket for Friday and Saturday with snow returning on Sunday.   Yes, the forecast is changing a bit – perhaps a gift of snow for Christmas.  If you’re good.  

The Science

Current Observations: It is clear this morning with the base area temperature reading 17 degrees.  The RH is 90% and the barometer is holding steady at 1023mb’s.  The ridge top winds are westerly with an average speed of +-10mph.  The view from the weather satellites show the region mostly dry with high clouds to the north and clear conditions to the west.  

The Forecast:  The high pressure building off the coast will sag south a bit today.  This will open the door for some unstable NW flow to move over the mountains.  Clouds and light snow will come along for the ride with an inch or two of snow possible by morning.  A cold and dry airmass will descend from the north tomorrow providing dry weather and a possibility of single digit lows temperatures early Saturday morning.   

The Long Range:  The long range models are starting to come into agreement of keeping the high pressure to the south through the weekend.  Snow for Christmas perhaps?   Stay tuned.     

24hr Precipitation ending at 4am: Today 24hr water: .10  snow: 0-1 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .10  snow: 0-1 Trend and Timing: Light snow is expected during the early morning hours.  Drying through the day tomorrow.

24hr temperature ending at 4am:  Low: 14    High: 24 Freezing level: +- 2000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels hold steady through tomorrow.  Colder air moves in tomorrow afternoon with freezing levels dropping to Sea level by early Saturday morning.

24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4am: Base: 0-5 W Ridge Top: 5-10 WNW Trend and Timing: Westerly winds will be light today.  East/offshore flow develops tomorrow.

jM