MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Stevens Pass Mountain Weather Forecast

Day and Time: Friday 0730

Current Observations:

24hr Precipitation:  0

Temperature profile: 23b/ 22r

Pass level winds: 5-10 W

Barometer:  Holding around 1022mb’s 

Sky:  Mostly clear with high clouds to the west

Radar:  A band of light moisture, out ahead of the main front, is beginning to reach the western slopes.

The Forecast:  Increasing snow today changing to rain tonight and back to snow tomorrow afternoon.  Snow showers diminish and eventually taper off on Sunday.  Surface temperatures could top 36⁰ f after midnight. 

High wind advisory: The winds will increase tonight with 30-50kt winds possible after midnight.  High winds persisting through at least noon tomorrow.

Long Range: The last few days of the year will be mostly dry with clear periods under high pressure.  

  

The Science:  An impressive storm with a long fetch of moisture stretching to the SW is approaching.  A warm front with SW advection will sag and possible stall over the regions today.  Top freezing levels associated with this system are reading in the +5500’ range.  Strong 4-5000’ westerly flow will fill in behind the front with strong ridge top winds expected.  

A cold front will swing through tomorrow afternoon/evening, dropping freezing levels and leaving snow showers in its wake.  A high pressure ridge builds over the region on Sunday with the New Year starting out dry with clear periods.  

Values from 4am today through

 4am tomorrow.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: 1”   snow: 8-12 Tomorrow’s 24hr water:  1” snow:  4-8 Trend and Timing: The snow begins in a few hours and intensifies this afternoon.   The rain window is timing out to be between midnight and noon.

Temperature: Low:  23   High: 36 Freezing level: 2000’ – 5500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will slowly rise today and peak near 5500’ around midnight tonight.  Freezing levels fall back below 4000’ tomorrow afternoon.

Winds Base: 0-5 E shifting W Ridge Top: 10-20 W Trend and Timing: Weak east flow will briefly develop today and shift westerly and strengthen tonight. Winds gust could exceed 50mph during the early morning hours.