MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0700 Wednesday

The Snapshot:  Warming with intermittent light rain showers today.  Snow, falling temperatures, and wind can be expected tomorrow.  Friday and Saturday will be mostly dry and cold with snow returning on Sunday.  

The Science

Current Observations:  .10^th of an inch of water with 2” of snow fell over the last 24hrs.  The temperatures profile is 34, base / 31, ridge.  The winds are gusting 5-10mph out of the west, the barometer has clicked up to 1023mb’s.  The radar has a band of precipitation working its way into the western slopes of the North-Central Cascades. 

The Forecast:   The high pressure system circulating off the Oregon coast will push warm air into our neck of the woods today.  This warm air advection will bring light moisture along for the ride producing a misty rainy day.  

Westerly flow will strengthen tonight as the high pressure begins to flatten and retreat south.  This will open the door for a cold unstable air to move in.   A system sliding down the coast will mix well with the cold air for a nice dose of snow tomorrow.   

The Long Range:  Light snow showers will linger into Friday with more cold air dropping in through the Frazer River Valley.  For you NW weather geeks, this is known as the Frazer River Outflow.  This is a classic feature that brings bitter cold temperatures to the eastern basin and east slopes of the Cascades.   

With the cold, dry air mass sinking in, Saturday will be mostly dry with temperatures possibly in the low teens or even single digits.  Another system arrives on Sunday with snow and some warming.  

      

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: <.25  snow: 0 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .5  snow: 2-5 Trend and Timing: Light rain today with rain switching to snow tomorrow.

Temperature: Low: 30    High: 40 Freezing level: < 5000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will continue to rise today reaching 5500’ tonight. Freezing levels will begin to fall tomorrow morning with freezing levels dropping to 1000’ or lower by Saturday morning.

Winds Base: 5-15 W gusty Ridge Top: 10-20 W gusts to 40 Trend and Timing: Westerly wind will persist today and strengthen overnight.