Mountain Weather Forecast

Time and Day:  0735 Friday

The Snapshot: Partly cloudy and mild Friday. Rain/snow mix to start Saturday, transitioning to moderate snow during the day.

The Science

Current Observations:  No precip in the past 48 hours. Temperatures cooled to 32 across the mountain overnight. Winds are light from the west with mostly clear skies and approaching clouds from the west. The barometer has been steady around 1020 for the past 24 hours.  

The Forecast: A quick moving trough and cold front are approaching Washington State this morning. Increasing clouds will be the main result during the day Friday. Precip starts after midnight, likely beginning as rain. Snow levels fall behind the front, dropping to pass level. A moderate shot of snow is possible mid-Saturday morning.

The Long Range: The trough moves east on Sunday with high pressure rebuilding. A prolonged dry and sunny period looks likely beginning Sunday.

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Friday’s   24hr water: .25    Snow: 0-2” Saturday’s   24hr water: .25-.5     Snow: 3-5” Trend and Timing: Light rain will begin after midnight, transitioning to snow early Saturday.

Temperature: Low: 33    High: 45 Freezing Level: 7000’-3500’ Trend and Timing:    Warm daytime temps, cooling rapidly overnight with the approaching front.

Winds Base: W 0-5, then 10-15 Ridge Top: W 5-10, then SW 15-25 Trend and Timing: Light winds until after midnight, then increasing and turning SW.