MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time:  1030 Saturday

The Snapshot:  This moderate to heavy mixed rain and snow game will continue through the weekend.

The Science

Current Observations: 1.42” of water produce 13” of snow overnight.  It is snowing with the temperature profile at 34base/32ridge.  The winds are WSW at 5-10 mph.  The barometer is stuck on 1019mb’s.   The radar has a long fetch of moisture stretching out to the SW tracking NE. 

The Forecast:  Unstable SW flow has filled in behind the warm front that passed over Stevens Pass about an hour ago.  A steady stream of moisture will continue to track through the Central Cascades with moderate to heavy precipitation expected through the night.   There will be a short lull in the precipitation tomorrow morning with another shot of moderate to heavy moisture (snow) early Monday morning.  

The Long Range:  The precipitation machine keeps cranking through Tuesday.  Models are starting to come into alignment with high pressure building over the region on Wednesday for a taste of actual spring.

    

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: .75 -1  snow:  5-10 base area / upper mountain split. Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .5-.75  snow: 2-5 Trend and Timing: Mixed snow/rain again today below 4500’.  The precipitation will intensify later this afternoon with moderate to heavy mixed rain and snow through the night.

Temperature: Low: 28    High: 40 Freezing level: 5000’ – 4000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will peak near 5000’ this afternoon and then fall back to +-4000 after midnight.  Daytime surfaces temperatures could peak near 40 today and then even a bit higher tomorrow.

Winds Base: 0-5 SSE Ridge Top: 5-10 SW Trend and Timing: Wind will be generally SW through the night.