MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Time and Day: 0630 Monday

The Snapshot:  Today will be mostly dry with thinning clouds and some sunshine.  The on-again-off-again mixed rain and snow game starts up again tomorrow and continues through Thursday.

The Science

Current Observations: .65” of water produced 3” of snow over the last 24hrs.  It is 33 degrees in the base area and 29 on the upper mountain.  The winds are westerly 5-10mph and barometer has climbed to1021mbs. This morning radar has the remnant showers beginning to dissipate with clearing beginning out to the east. 

The Forecast:  An upper-level high-pressure ridge will bring a well deserved dry and partly sunny day today.  Don’t get too excited, the wet early spring weather returns tomorrow as the next series of storms prepare to enter the region. These next systems are generally driven by WSW flow which will bring periods of rain and snow to the mountains for most of the remaining week.  There is a cold front developing well offshore which will add some cold air to the mix.

The Long Range:  The long range models are somewhat in agreement with having a blocking ridge developing on Friday.  So for now, we will call the weekend mostly dry and sunny.       

24hr values daily 4am to 4am.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: .10  snow: 0 Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .5  snow: 1-3 Trend and Timing: Mostly dry today with rain/ snow arriving late tomorrow afternoon.

Temperature: Low: 32    High: 40 Freezing level: 4500’ – 7000’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will rise today but the easterly flow will help keep surface temperature from getting too high.

Winds Base: 0-10 E Ridge Top: 5-15 E Trend and Timing: East flow with a gusty downslope component will develop today.