Mid-day Weather Update

Mid-Day Weather Update

Time: 1030 Wednesday.

No significant changes to this morning’s forecast.  These lingering snow showers will slowly taper off in the next few hours with some sun break this afternoon.  

Current Observations: The base area temperature is right at 32 degrees so the snow that is falling isn’t really accumulating.  The radar has a band of showers moving north along the western slopes with clearing beginning to the southwest.

jM

Previous discussion:

The Snapshot: A drying trend will begin today and last through the weekend.

The Science

Current Observations: .36” of water produced 3” of snow overnight.  The temperature profile is 33 base / 28 ridges. The barometer is holding steady at 10007mb’s and the winds are blowing 5-10mph out of the west.   The satellite image shows most of last nights moisture heading into the intermountain west with a light band of snow moving north along the Cascade Crest.

The Forecast:  An upper-level ridge will begin to stabilize and dry the atmosphere today.  There are a few very light showers rotating around an offshore low that could produce a few flurries now and then; but for the most part the mountains will be mostly dry with partial clearing.  

The Long Range:  This pattern of mostly dry with an occasional rain or snow showers will continue through the weekend.   Fairly typical early springtime weather.       

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today:   water: .25  snow: 1-3 Tomorrow: water: 0  snow: 0 Trend and Timing: Snow will diminish today with drying tonight and tomorrow.

Temperature: Low: 24    High: 30 Freezing level: +- 3500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will stabilize around 3500’ today.  Temperatures will cool into the low 20’s tomorrow morning with good daytime recovery.

Winds Base: 0-10 W shifting E Ridge Top: 5-10 W Trend and Timing: Light westerly flow will shift easterly tomorrow.