Mountain Weather Forecast

Time and Day: 0710 Saturday

The Snapshot: Light snow and mostly cloudy today, mostly cloudy tomorrow but dry with light snow Sunday night.

The Science

Current Observations:  2” of new snow early this morning, with 5” in the past 24 hours. Temperatures are cool at 21 on the upper mountain and 26 in the base area. Winds have just shifted to westerly and remain light, the barometer is basically flat over the past 24 hours just over 1003 mbs.

The Forecast:  A complex of low pressure systems within a larger trough feature are bringing cool upper level air and light snow showers to most of the PNW this morning. In the image to the left the shortwave low is visible over northern Washington, with a larger low pressure cell off the Oregon coast. WNW flow will bring continued light to moderate snow and seasonally low freezing levels for the next few days. Snow showers should end Saturday night and pick up again Sunday afternoon/evening.

The Long Range: After light snow begins again Sunday night/Monday morning, moderate snow should continue Monday. Amounts look to ramp up on Tuesday with a decent shot of snow possible. There are inconsistencies for the amplitude and axis of a high pressure ridge forming during the middle of next week. These details will make themselves known eventually…

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Saturday’s   24hr water: .25-.5    Snow: 3-5” Sunday’s   24hr water:  .10    Snow: 1-2” Trend and Timing: Light snow Saturday, ending in the afternoon. Mostly dry during the daylight hours Sunday with light snow Sunday night.

Temperature: Low: 21    High: 32 Snow level: 1500-2000’ Trend and Timing:    Free air temps will peak mid-afternoon as usual, with good cooling by Sunday morning.

Winds Base: W 5-10 Ridge Top: W-NW 10-20 Trend and Timing: Moderate winds during the day Saturday, easing overnight.