Mountain Weather Forecast

Stevens Pass Mountain Weather Forecast

Day and Time: 0745 Sunday

Current Observations:

24hr Precipitation: .08” / 1” snow

Pass temperature:  35 base / 30 mid mtn

Pass level winds: Light westerly

Barometer:  Steady 1018

Sky: Overcast / snowing lightly

Radar: Light showers in the Central Cascades and SE Washington

The Forecast: Mostly cloudy today with diminishing light snow showers. Cloudy with moderate snow tomorrow.

  

The Science: A low pressure system that moved onshore yesterday is now to the SE of Washington state and is rotating bands of moisture northward. These are mainly reaching SE Washington/Northern Oregon, and are just barely making it into the Central Cascades. Cooler air has moved in as last week’s high pressure ridge departed, bringing freezing levels to more seasonal elevations. A closed low will approach on Monday with an associated cold front. It’s not a particularly strong system but could bring the most significant snow we’ve seen in a few weeks. Temperatures will start out warm on Monday, but should cool with the onset of precip, keeping the precip type as mostly snow thru Tuesday.

Long Range:  A large scale trough feature will setup over the Western US during the middle of next week, keeping freezing levels near seasonal norms (+/- 4,000’). The upper level flow will be coming from intercontinental Canada, so there is not much moisture expected. Chance of light snow showers and partly sunny is a good general expectation. How’s that for kicking the can down the road?

Values from 4am today through

 4am tomorrow.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: .10-.25  snow: 1-2” Tomorrow’s 24hr water: .25-.5  snow: 3-5” Trend and Timing: Light snow today, dry overnight and most of Monday, snow beginning Monday afternoon.

Temperature: Low: 30    High: 44 Freezing level: 5000’ Trend and Timing:    Typical daytime warming, with otherwise steady temps.

Winds Base: West, light Ridge Top: W 5-15 Trend and Timing: Light winds, diminishing overnight.