MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day:  0700 Thursday

Powder day - 8” of light snow fell yesterday with not that many people tearing it up. It will be a good day to get out and push some snow around. 

The Snapshot:  Light snow showers today with heavy snow turning to rain after midnight tonight.  It’s going to be a sporty weekend of weather with rain/snow/rain and wind.  

The Science

Current Observations: .49” of water left 8” of snow on the 24hr stake, 4” of that fell overnight.   It is lightly snowing with overcast skies; the temperature profile is 28 base and 25 ridges. The barometer has been holding steady at 1017mb’s and the winds are out of the west at 5-10mph.  The view from the satellites has light spotty snow showers in the central mountains- north.  The next round of moderate to heavy precipitation is entering the southwestern edge of the state.

The Forecast: A slow moving warm front will track north through the region today.  There are pockets of upper-level cold air mixing with this warm moist storm.  So, we are in for a roller coaster ride with periods of heavy snow, rain and mixed rain and snow.  The winds will also be a factor with this system with strong westerly flow expected above 4500’ tomorrow.  This pattern will continue into Saturday.

The Long Range:  Sunday will be rather soggy with mild temperatures and rain likely.  Cooler NW flow enters the scene on Monday for a return of snow.      

Time and Day:  0700 Thursday

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24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: 1  snow: 8-12 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: 1-1.25  snow: 4-8 Trend and Timing: Light snow today turning to heavy snow tonight change to rain after midnight.  Periods of mixed rain and snow through the weekend.

Temperature: Low: 26    High: 36 Freezing level:  4000’ – 5500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will reach 4000’ this afternoon  and then +5000’ just after midnight tonight.  Freezing levels are temporarily expected to drop to 4000’ tomorrow afternoon/evening and then rise back above 5000’ on Sunday.

Winds Base: 5-10 W Ridge Top: 10-20 W Trend and Timing: There will be a short period of east flow just prior to the passage of the front tonight.  West winds will intensify through the night with strong ridge top winds expected through the day tomorrow.