MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Day and Time: 0730 Friday

The Snapshot:  It will be a very wet day today with heavy mixed rain and snow.     This mixed bag of wet weather will persist through the weekend.  

The Science

Current Observations:  It is snowing lightly with 4” of new snow on the ground.   The base area temperature is 30 with the ridge top temperature at 28^0f .   The barometer has risen to 1017mb ’s with the winds westerly 5-10mph.  The radar has the next batch of heavy moisture heading our way.  

The Forecast:  A strong warm front will bring yet another day of moderate to heavy precipitation.  Freezing levels are expected to rise and fall between 4000’ and 5500’ through this entire storm event.  How much snow?  Hum, that is the big question.  The upper mountain will likely see some good snow accumulation with the lower mountain in the mixing zone.  This moderate to heavy mixed precipitation will persist through the weekend.

The Long Range: The temperature roller coaster with periods of heavy precipitation will continue into early next week. There is some reprieve starting to show up late next week with some potential high pressure entering the region.  

     

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: 1-1.25  snow: 6-10 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .75 -1  snow: 4-8 Trend and Timing: Heavy precipitation today and tomorrow.

Temperature: Low: 30    High: 34 Freezing level: 3500’ – 5500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will peak near 5000’ this afternoon and then again tomorrow.

Winds Base: 5-10 ESSE / W Ridge Top: 5-15 WSW Trend and Timing: WSW upper-level winds will be gusty today with weak east flow at the surface.