Thursday, January 10, 2013

a surge of milder air... (pm.10.jan.13)>

Thursday's stats:

Early morning low temp: 41.0F (5.0C)
Afternoon high temp: 52.2F (11.2C)
Rainfall: none

It is clear, but a bit hazy just after sunset this evening.  There were just a few thin high clouds earlier today, along with a couple of cumulus clouds trying to develop over the mountains, otherwise sunshine was plentiful once again.  My high temp was exactly the same as yesterday's -- so we've now had two days in a row of slightly warmer than normal conditions.

A rather large winter storm system is centered just west of the Caspian Sea this evening, and will be our main weather-maker as we approach the weekend.  Although it is still expected to weaken considerably and eventually fall apart as it moves toward northern India, computer models are in surprising agreement in forecasting precipitation amounts in the 5mm - 1cm (0.20-0.40") range for our immediate area on Saturday. Milder air will be drawn northward ahead of this system as it approaches, with a modest amount of moisture expected to be pulled into the mix as well.  Right now I'd put the chance of measurable rainfall at about 40-50%, with a very high snow line for this time of year (2200m/7200ft).  Keep a close eye on developing conditions during the coming 48 hours or so.

Rain/snow chances will rapidly diminish on Sunday, but we should start to gradually cool off again during the early part of next week.  Beyond that, it looks like we'll have a more volatile and unsettled weather pattern evolving just beyond this 5-day forecast period which bears watching for potential storminess...

THURSDAY NIGHT:
mostly clear early, with a chance of some clouds developing.  quite mild.
low: 6C (43F)

FRIDAY:
a mix of clouds and sun.  above normal temps for january.
high: 12C (54F)

FRIDAY NIGHT:
partly to mostly cloudy and very mild.  slight chance of a rain shower or two late.
low: 8C (47F)

SATURDAY:
mild temps, with clouds and a period or two of sun.  chance of some rain showers in the area.
high: 13C (55F)

SUNDAY:
some lingering clouds, but also a good amount of sun.  cooling down a bit.
morning low: 6C (42F)
daytime high: 11C (52F)

MONDAY:
sunny to partly cloudy... cooling trend.
morning low: 4C (39F)
daytime high: 10C (50F)

TUESDAY:
a mix of sunshine and just a few clouds at times.
morning low: 4C (40F)
daytime high: 10C (50F)