MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST

Stevens Pass Mountain Weather Forecast

Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 1030

Current Observations:

24hr Precipitation:      1.19swe, 10” of snow

Temperature profile:    31 base,   31 ridge

Pass level winds:            moderate WSW

Barometer:            bumped up a notch to 1014mb’s

Sky:                         OC and snowing

Radar:      There is a warm front positioned over the mountains with a long fetch of moisture strung out to the west.

The Forecast:  Moderate to heavy snow will continue through at least Friday.  

The Science:  A warm front is currently passing over the Cascade Crest. This will push freezing levels up to +4500’ with moderate to heavy snow continuing through the day.    

 A large plume of moisture, riding up an over a high pressure ridge to the south, will keep an unstable atmosphere over the PNW through Saturday.   Westerly flow will develop this afternoon with convergence dynamics in play.  Freezing levels will range between 4000’ and 5000’ through this event.   Snow levels appear to be below Pass level – we might just dodge the rain bullet with this one.    

Long Range.  The precipitation ends on Sunday with another potential disturbance arriving on Monday.  

Confidence:  Fair.

Values from 4am today through 4am tomorrow.

Precipitation: Today 24hr water: 1-1.25 snow: 10-14    Tomorrow’s 24hr water: 1-2   snow: 14-16 Trend and Timing: Heavy precipitation can be expected through Friday.

Temperature: Low:30    High: 34 Freezing level: 4500’ Trend and Timing:    Freezing levels will peak near 5400’ and hover there through the night.

Winds Base: 5-10 W Ridge Top: 5-15 W    Trend and Timing: Westerly flow will keep winds gusty along the ridge tops.