MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Stevens Pass Mountain Weather Forecast

Day and Time: Monday 0700

Current Observations: It is a beautiful morning at Stevens Pass.

24hr Precipitation: There were some light snow showers falling  yesterday with 0” registering on the telemetry 

Pass temperature: 23 base, 19 ridge

Pass level winds: 0-5 E

Barometer: has risen to 1020mb’s  

Sky: Broken high clouds

Radar: There are some scattered snow showers falling in eastern Washington with dry and clear skies to the west.

The Forecast:  Dry, clear and cold weather will prevail in the mountains for the rest of the week.  

Long Range: Clouds begin to move in on Friday with snow likely over the weekend.  It is still a bit far out to have much confidence in specifics details, but models are starting to agree that change is coming with snow likely on Saturday/Sunday.  (see science below for more on the long range outlook)

  

The Science: An inversion layer is forming over the eastern basin as cold air from the interior north filters in. Warmer and dryer air west of the crest will help strengthen the east/west pressure gradients over the next 24hrs.  Therefore, east flow / offshore flow will increase today.  Freezing levels will fall to or below 1000’ with early morning temperatures dipping into the lower teens.

Eyes are on a low pressure system forming in the North Pacific. The northern jet stream is expected to push through the Aleutian Islands with the low pressure in tow.  This will hopefully be the mechanism that brings the next round of winter storms to the PNW.  As of now, this change is expected to begin over the upcoming weekend.

Values from 4am today through

 4am tomorrow.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: 0  snow: 0 Tomorrow’s 24hr water:  0 snow: 0 Trend and Timing: Dry through the week.

Temperature: Low: 28    High: 14 Freezing level: < 1000’ Trend and Timing:    Daytime temperatures recovering into the upper 20s’ with low morning temps in the lower teens will be the temperature profile through Friday.

Winds Base: 0-5 E Ridge Top: 5-10 ESE Trend and Timing: East flow strengthens today.  Watch for gusty down  slopes winds to form along the western slopes.