January 10, 2018

MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day:  1030am Wednesday

The Snapshot: POW day.  Light snow showers today.  Tomorrow is going to be a big weather event with heavy snow, high winds and a short rain event thrown in there for good measure.  The weekend will trend dry and warmer.

The Science

Current Observations:  Thanks to the Puget Sound Convergence that developed last night, 10” of light windblown snow fell overnight.  The temperature fell to 22f on the upper mountain with the current temperature at 28f in the base area.  The winds are gusty and out of the west.  All this equates to nice powder skiing.   

The Forecast:  The barometer is on the rise this morning which indicates increasing pressure. This will provide a break in the precipitation with some clear periods today.  The atmosphere will remain unstable under WNW flow so the snow won’t be completely cut off. 

Tomorrow’s storm:  A strong frontal system (triple point) will move into through the region overnight. This storm is packing a punch with heavy precipitation, high winds and rising and falling freezing levels.   Heavy snow is expected to start the day with a potential of a foot or more by noon or so.  Freezing level are expected to spike up to 5000’ tomorrow afternoon for a potential short rain event.  A cold front will swing through late tomorrow night which will lower freezing levels and begin to diminish the snow.       

The Long Range:  Snow showers will linger through the day on Friday with high pressure expected to warm things up dry us out over the weekend.    

24hr Precipitation ending at 4 a.m:
Today 24hr water: .25-.5 snow: 3-5
Tomorrow’s 24hr water: +2 snow: 18-26

Trend and Timing:
Intermittent snow showers today with heavy snow starting after 2 am tomorrow morning.


24hr temperature ending at 4 a.m: 
Low: 20    High: 28
Freezing level: +-3000’

Trend and Timing:   
The freezing level has stabilized for the day around 3000’.  Warming tomorrow.

 
24hr Winds (mph) ending at 4 a.m:
Base: 5-10 W shifting E
Ridge Top: 5-15 W shifting E

Trend and Timing:
The winds will diminish today and shift easterly tonight. 



jM

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