Sunday – Wednesday:
We are in a dry pattern through Wednesday. Mostly sunny with highs into the 40s Sunday and then 50s Monday – Tuesday on the lower mountain and 40s up top. Lighter winds through Monday. Winds up top gusting up to 40+ mph from the southwest by Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday we could see sun and some clouds with increasing winds from the southwest. Ridgetop gusts could increase to 70+ mph up top by afternoon. That could affect some upper mountain lifts. Highs still into the 50s at the base and 40s up top.
Thursday Storm:
The latest forecast model runs show a storm digging into the northern Sierra during the early morning hours Thursday. Snow could start between 1-7 AM and continue through the day on Thursday. Then snow showers could linger into Thursday evening before we clear out later Thursday night.
Snow levels could start out around 8000 ft. Then falling close to the base Thursday morning and then even lower by Thursday evening. Highs dropping into the 30s. Ridgetop winds could still be gusting up to 60+ mph from the southwest up top.
The latest model runs suggest enough moisture for 1-3″ of snow at the base and 3-5″ on the upper mountain by Thursday evening. We’ll continue to fine-tune the forecast as we get closer.
Long-Range:
The trough stays over the West through next weekend and into the week of the 7th. That should keep the colder air in place. Additional weak systems could move through the region. The next cold/weak system is possible by Friday night into Saturday, with another possible for next Sunday. We’ll continue to give more details as they get closer.
We could stay into a cold and semi-active pattern into the 2nd week of March with weak systems continuing. Nothing big showing up still, but we’ll continue to watch the trends as we get closer.
BA