A Chance for Snow Showers Wednesday

Monday – Tuesday Weather:

Mostly sunny both days with highs in the 40s for the lower elevations and 30s for the higher elevations on Monday, then warming into the 40s to near 50 degrees at the base on Tuesday.

Wednesday Snow Showers:

On Wednesday, we still expect a fast-moving system to our north to brush us with some showers during the afternoon/evening. Ridgetop winds increasing from the southwest with gusts up to 50-60+ mph. Temperatures drop into the 30s. Snow levels starting near 7000 ft. Wednesday morning, and drop to the base during the afternoon.

The latest model runs still only show up to 1-2 tenths of an inch of total precipitation by Thursday morning as the storm has departed. Some show even less. That is enough precipitation for a dusting up to an inch or two of snow on the mountain at best.

Thursday – Sunday:

Finishing out the week and going into the weekend, we expect mostly sunny days to return. We could have breezy NE winds Thursday and Friday, helping to make it feel colder as highs may remain in the 40s for the lower elevations and 30s for the upper mountain.

Over the weekend, we could see temperatures start to warm a little, with highs into the 40s on Saturday and then 50s for the lower elevations by Sunday.

Long-Range Outlook:

By the weekend, a strong high-pressure ridge anchors itself near the West Coast, and the long-range models hold it near the position into the 3rd week of March. That could keep our weather dry for a while. After the cold shot with the Wednesday system, temperatures are forecast to be in the 40s for the upper mountain and 50s for the lower elevations near the base.

The latest model runs are bone dry with no storms forecast through at least mid-March. The longer-range models continue to suggest that the ridge could back away from the West Coast during the 4th week of March. They show some precipitation during this period.

But that is almost 3 weeks from now and could change. Currently, it’s the only sign of hope for any significant snowfall in March that I’m seeing as of today. Let’s hope that changes soon.

BA