MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0630 Monday

The Snapshot:  Persistent snow showers are expected today.  The snow begins to taper off tomorrow with a short warm dry period for the middle of the week.  

The Science

Current Observations: Our little rain event dropped 3.79” of water over the weekend.  Temperatures are dropping although they are still on the mild side in the low 30’s. The rain switched to snow a few hours ago with 2” being reported.  The winds are westerly, 10-15mph and gusty.  The barometer is holding steady at 1015mb’s.  The satellite radar has a stream of moisture heading into the mountains pushed by NW flow. 

The Forecast:  Northwest flow will keep light to moderate snow falling at Stevens Pass for the next 24-36hrs.  The Puget Sound Convergence Zone is forming, but it will likely be south of Stevens Pass.  Freezing levels will stabilize around 3000’ through this period.  Winds will remain gusty and out of the west.

The Long Range:  Wednesday will be mostly dry as a high pressure ridge with high freezing levels nudges the moisture to the north.   Colder with snow is expected by the end of the week.       

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: .5-.75  snow: 4-8 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .25  snow: 1-3 Trend and Timing: Snow will persist through today and begin to taper off tomorrow.  Convergence flow could push totals up a bit.

Temperature: Low: 28    High: 32 Freezing level:+-3000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will drop to 3000’ today and hover at the elevation into Wednesday morning.

Winds Base: 5-10 W Ridge Top: 5-15 WNW Trend and Timing: The winds will slowly diminish through the day with westerly flow continuing for the next few days.